Khamenei Says Iran Can Overcome ‘Barbaric’ Sanctions Imposed by West
Khamenei Says Iran Can Overcome ‘Barbaric’ Sanctions Imposed by West
Iran can overcome “barbaric” economic sanctions imposed by Western countries over its controversial nuclear program, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.
“These sanctions are barbaric. This is a war against a nation… But the Iranian nation will defeat them,” Khamenei said in a speech during a visit to the northeastern province of North Khorasan, broadcast on state television.
The Iranian rial has slumped as much as 40 percent against the dollar since August, leading to spiraling inflation, as U.S. and European sanctions curb Iran’s oil output and cut off the flow of hard currency. Protests against the rising cost of living broke out in Tehran’s markets last week and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
“A few people on two streets burned two trash bins and our enemies became happy,” Khamenei said, according to Press TV. “Our enemies should know that Iran will overcome these problems and will defeat them again.”
He also accused the West of “lying” over its offer to lift sanctions in return for Iran furnishing guarantees to back its claims its atomic program is intended for civilian purposes only.