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Rouhani Warns from Consequences of Criticizing Iran’s Economic Policy | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani smiles in Ankara during a visit to Turkey. Reuters


London- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned against questioning Iran’s ability to overcome its economic crises, saying the criticism directed at his government will lead to a defeat in the battle for a better economy.

“We are defiantly victorious in implementing the economy of resistance,” Rouhani said Wednesday, noting that Iran – with a great nation, an effective government and an intelligent leader – is the winner of the economy of resistance.

Addressing an international conference in commemoration of the martyrs of the World of Islam underway in Mashhad, Rouhani said the Iranian nation has for 38 years been able to resist against all pressures.

“In today’s difficult conditions for oil producers … Iran has remained steadfast,” the president noted.

He revealed that Iran was able to reduce the inflation rate and preserve the value of the national currency.

“Today’s war is a war of determination,” Rouhani stated.

The president underlined the need to possess advanced weapons to resist the enemies in case of a war, saying “we should develop missiles and aircrafts and we are doing so.”

However, he said the enemy “fears the nation’s faith and determination, more than weapons.”

The comments came a day after Ahmad Jannati, the head of the Assembly of Experts, a body that selects Iran’s supreme leader, cast doubt over the government’s performance and starkly criticized Rouhani’s economy of resistance policy.

Rouhani should apologize to the Iranian people if he cannot show that the economy has improved, one of Iran’s most prominent hardliners said on Tuesday.

“If the resistance economy has not been followed in the way that it should have, then he must apologize and tell Iranians the reasons,” Jannati told a meeting of the Assembly where Rouhani was present.

Rouhani on Wednesday rejected as “irrelevant” the question whether his government is successful in the economy of resistance and said his administration would present a full economic report by the end of the Iranian calendar year, in late March.

The President said the Islamic Republic has managed to “push up economic growth, bring down inflation and maintain the value of national currency” despite difficulties it has been facing like other major crude exporters.