President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Iran will not give in to mounting US pressure and called for national cohesion to "bring America to its knees".
The country will be able to minimize the impact of the US decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal if internal disagreements are set aside, the president said in a meeting with administration officials in Tehran, his official website reported.
The speech came in the wake of growing domestic pressure on Rouhani after days of shop closures and protests against the worsening economic conditions as the threat of renewed US sanctions has further weighed on the local currency, which has sharply weakened in recent months.
Three Choices
The president said Iran faces three choices in responding to Donald Trump's hostile stance on the nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The first is to succumb to the US, Rouhani noted, adding that no wise and patriotic Iranian would bow to pressure, tyranny, humiliation and injustice.
High Cost
"The second choice is to stand up to the US but continue our domestic quarrels, in which some speak against the JCPOA and some in favor without taking the current situation into account."
This could result in resisting US pressure but paying a higher price because infighting will only undermine national unity and take a toll on ordinary people, particularly the low-income strata, the president said.
Battle of Wills
"The third option is not to succumb to the United States under any circumstances and safeguard our national honor and dignity and bring America to its knees in the battle of wills," he said, adding that this approach will make hostile powers realize their mistakes.
American and Israeli officials expected Iran to leave the nuclear accord shortly after the US exit but the country's measured response upset all their calculations, he noted.
Rouhani added that his government will continue its efforts to improve the economic situation. "If anyone thinks the administration will step back or resign under pressure, they are mistaken."
Creating jobs, alleviating poverty, regulating the market and boosting domestic manufacturing are high on the government agenda, Rouhani told the senior officials. "We will succeed if these four issues are resolved."
