Rouhani Calls for Unity to ‘Dishearten’ Enemies

EghtesadOnline: The unity of the Iranian nation could make the enemies realize that their hostile policies will never bear any fruit, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, as Cabinet members renewed their allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic.

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25 August 2019

"The enemies' conspiracies will end when they get disappointed at their efforts to harm the [Iranian] establishment. So our greatest objective is to dishearten the enemies," Rouhani said in a speech at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in southern Tehran on the first day of the Government Week, his website reported.

He emphasized the importance of national unity, saying, "If the government and the people, particularly scientific elites and the youth, support each other, we can negotiate this historic turn."

The president said he is well aware of the livelihood problems of ordinary people and promised that his administration will redouble efforts to improve the situation and inject hope into society, according to Financial Tribune.

"Promoting hope is one of the goals that we are pursuing with full force because we believe that as long as there is hope, the path of progress continues," he said.

Washington reintroduced measures against Iran's economy last year after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a multinational 2015 deal that lifted sanctions in return for limits on Iran's nuclear program.

Combined with rising inflation and growing unemployment, a considerable currency depreciation and domestic mismanagement have caused a drop in the purchasing power of low-income Iranians.

Economic Challenges

Rouhani said economic challenges have been partly addressed in recent months and efforts to bring down the inflation rate will be stepped up.

The president, who is under fire over his handling of economic challenges, advised against trading blame for the current situation, saying Imam Khomeini had always called on people of all walks of life to support the government, regardless of differences.

Sometimes problems are rooted in inaction, shortcomings or mistakes, but sometimes problems are "imposed" on the country by the enemy, he added.

"The administration has worked hard to improve its ties with countries in the East and the West, but the US administration created many problems for people in our country, in the region and even its own people," he said.

Rouhani noted that a smear campaign against the government weakens the entire country and emboldens the enemies.

The president and members of his Cabinet also paid homage to the martyrs laid to rest in Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery in southern Tehran.