Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said enormous capacities in Iran can be exploited to overcome many of the economic problems facing the country.
He made the statement in a Wednesday address to the champions of 2018 Asian Para Games held from October 6 to 13 in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.
The Leader praised the athletes for their victories, noting that the championship is an indication of their firm determination as well as their ability to unlock their hidden potential, the Leader’s official news portal reported.
“The value of what you did lies in proving that if neglected capabilities in a human or a country are developed, they will definitely pave the way for progress and major accomplishments,” he said.
He pointed out that a major problem in the country at present is the failure to exploit a raft of capacities in such areas as culture, human and natural resources, trade and international ties.
“If these capacities are utilized properly, many of the existing economic problems in the country will be resolved,” he said.
Firm to Resist Sanctions
President Hassan Rouhani said in separate remarks in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that all sections of his administration are determined to tackle the economic issues that have been partly caused by the reimposition of United States’ sanctions.
“There are difficulties in society and economic challenges, but when people stand against US schemes … they will defeat [it],” he said, the president’s official website reported.
After withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal in May, the US imposed sanctions on Iran in two rounds, the second of which enacted on Nov. 5 targets the oil and banking sectors.
The measures are aimed at crippling the country’s oil-dependent economy by drastically reducing its crude exports.
Rouhani said the US has adopted a wrong policy and will definitely fail to achieve its goals.
“We will sell our oil and retain our financial relations with the world. This might be difficult … for us, but the Oil Ministry, the Central Bank, the Economy Ministry, the Plan and Budget Organization and other ministers and authorities are firmly standing up to the US,” he said.
