Iran defiant on sanctions: Power to reform economy ‘not with the U.S. Treasury’
Iranian officials admitted Sunday that mounting U.S. pressure on the country’s oil exports and financial networks is putting growing strain on the economy, as Tehran grapples with inflation, unemployment and sharp currency swings.
“They speak of economic pressure and isolation, of breaking off financial ties and they think that by pressuring the economy of a country they can change the decisions of its people,” Madanizadeh said. “I have to clarify one point: the responsibility of reforming Iran’s economy is with its government and people, not with the U.S. Treasury.”
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran’s battle now extends beyond the military front to production and the livelihoods of ordinary citizens, warning that Iranians could endure hardship but not government mismanagement or inaction.
Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh rejected the idea that sanctions would force Tehran to change course.
Separately, Economy Ministry deputy Morteza Zamanian said the ministry’s “Economic War Headquarters” was intensifying efforts to address problems caused by the conflict, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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