Tehran hopes that its economic ties to other countries will continue despite renewed sanctions by the United States and has contingencies to weather the storm with the minimum possible damage, says President Hassan Rouhani.
"We are indeed hopeful that our economic interaction with the world will continue as before. However, we have contingencies for situations where we may face problems," he said following a meeting with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and Judiciary Chief Sedeq Amoli Larijani in Tehran on Saturday, his official website reported.
The president said ways to overcome the current (intricate) situation while having to pay "the minimum possible price" were discussed in the meeting.
*** Essential Goods
The foreign currency needed to import essential goods is being provided by the government and new mechanisms have been introduced for transparent and efficient interaction among importers, exporters and manufacturers, the president said.
He was referring to the launch of a secondary market for foreign exchange to ease the forex shortage ahead of the reimposition of unilateral US sanctions.
The new forex market, which started operating on Tuesday, has been designed for importers of non-essential goods who cannot access the subsidized government rate of 43,000 rials to the USD, which is available to energy-related businesses and traders of other essential goods.
*** Crucial Sectors
"The government promises that the country will not face any problem regarding basic commodities and in the energy, transport and production sectors.”
He said the present situation has opened up new opportunities for domestic manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs, who can and should contribute to the growth of the national economy.
*** US Isolation
"Talks have been held with European countries, China, Russia, neighbors and important Asian states, and the majority of the states that value their independence and sovereignty…say they will disregard US domestic regulations," he added.
Rouhani said the US today is more isolated than ever over its hostile stance against the Islamic Republic, even among its close and loyal allies.
"Today, we are in a situation where the US is more isolated than ever over the sanctions scenario," he said, adding that this isolation was conspicuous in huge protests against President Donald Trump during his visit to Britain this week.
Chanting "Donald Trump has got to go," tens of thousands of protesters marched through London on Friday to demonstrate against the US president on his first visit to the country.
Organizers said 250,000 people were protesting in London and other demonstrations were expected in cities around the country.
Rouhani said the Iranian nation will succeed in neutralizing Trump’s hostile plans and pressure tactics and his use of "indiscriminate" sanctions.
