Resistance Against Sanctions Will Continue

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran will continue to withstand American sanctions until the United States’ maximum pressure turns into "maximum disgrace and a source of regret" for them. 
"The country's economy is under pressure and people's livelihood is troubled, but all these problems are solvable," he said during a videoconference address to the joint graduation ceremony for cadets of military academies, Leader.ir reported.
The US has reimposed tough sanctions on Iran since its unilateral withdrawal two years ago from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
It has intensified pressure in recent weeks, claiming the restrictions are part of international sanctions against Iran that have been resumed as a result of its disputed activation of the deal's snapback mechanism. 
Ayatollah Khamenei described the sanctions as "true crime" against the Iranian nation, saying only villains can be proud of such acts.
"But the commotion by evildoers ruling the US should not preoccupy anybody's mind," he said.  
The Leader maintained that although many of Iran's economic problems are rooted outside the country, their solution remains within and requires strong management and hard work by tireless authorities. 
"It has been stated repeatedly that the key to addressing economic problems lies in focusing on production, preventing the continued devaluation of national currency and correcting flaws such as smuggling, unchecked imports and financial corruption," he said. 
The Leader advised against seeking a solution overseas, stressing that no benefit can be gained from foreign countries. 
Ayatollah Khamenei also highlighted the importance of defensive capabilities as a major element of the country's power, saying it should be developed based on rational calculations of the extent of threats.  
"The reason behind Americans' idle talk about Iran's defensive, missile and regional capabilities is the Islamic Republic's precise and rational calculations to acquire these abilities," he said. 
US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal, arguing that it was defective and needed to include Iran's missile programs and regional activities. 
Iran has declared that it would never negotiate its defensive power that is regarded as its inalienable right. 
Washington was also deeply concerned about the impending expiration of Iran's arms embargo based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed JCPOA.
It accused Iran of destabilizing the region and moved to extend the arms ban indefinitely, but its resolution was rejected by UNSC, forcing it to illegally resort to JCPOA's snapback process despite having already quit the deal.  
"Such nonsense is due to their fear and also their backwardness in this sector," Ayatollah Khamenei said.