TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said here Sunday Europe cannot be trusted without concrete guarantees, adding Iran’s economy must not rely on guarantees made by the European side.
The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet here, which mostly focused on economic problems facing the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei said there is need to draw up a "stable economic roadmap” to solve the country’s economic problems, adding the solution to the problems must not be made conditional the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal.
"Although the European side is obliged to provide necessary guarantees with regard to the JCPOA, but the country’s economy must not be tied to this issue,” the Leader said, referring to the nuclear agreement.
The Leader called on all state organs to close ranks in fighting looming U.S. economic sanctions, saying America’s "conspiracy” could be defeated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said "the government’s economic team is the axis of all activity in the country, calling all the bodies to coordinate with it.”
He also advised state radio and TV to reflect a correct image of government activities.
"I strongly believe that if the government takes the necessary measures, it will be able to overcome problems and defeat the U.S. conspiracy,” the Leader said.
The Leader also called for strengthening the private sector while taking "decisive action” against economic crime such as money-laundering and smuggling of goods, blamed on those profiteering from the economic crisis in the country.
Separately, judiciary spokesman Gholamhussein Mohseni Ejei said special prosecutors would swiftly deal with economic crime, including profiteering from foreign exchange and gold dealings, illegal imports of luxury cars and price gouging on imported goods such as mobile phones.
Ayatollah Khamenei also lauded the "powerful” positions taken by President Rouhani during his recent European tour on U.S. threats to curtail Iran's oil sales.
"Appearing powerful in the face of foreigners, especially Americans, is necessary and this step must be taken on time, clearly and firmly,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the need to expand Iran's diplomatic ties with other countries, saying apart from a few cases such as America, the country’s relations with the East and the West must be increasingly bolstered.