Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says Iran is in dire need of a major "economic surgery" to alleviate the pain inflicted on it by the US sanctions, which will greatly impact its key oil industry.
"From an economic perspective, the country today is in a situation where there is need for surgeries," he said in a speech during a visit to the southern Fars Province on Monday, IRNA reported.
"We are experiencing conditions where there is international pressure on the country, and at the same time we are facing domestic problems," he added, referring to US President Donald Trump tightening the screws on Iran following his controversial exit from the 2015 nuclear deal.
Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran's purchases of US dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its dealings with metals, coal and industrial-related software.
The Trump team has told third countries they must stop buying Iranian oil from early November or face tough US financial penalties.
*** Source of Pain
Larijani said the authorities must first identify the source of the economy's pain and then embark on measures to heal it.
"If we want to end the economic pressures, we must first understand that many external problems can and will be resolved if domestic economic ills are addressed."
The enemy has always attempted to take advantage of the country's weak points but will not have much room to maneuver if these shortcomings are addressed, the senior lawmaker said.
One of the weak points in the economy is that the available financial resources are neither being spent properly nor on activities that would generate wealth, he said.
One of the top priorities now should be to boost domestic production by cutting the unhelpful and unwanted bureaucracy and boosting investment, Larijani said. He urged the people to maintain their unity in the face of foreign pressure and help the country move forward against the heavy odds.
