Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called US efforts and sanctions against Iran as manifestation of atrocity and "truly criminal," but said the Islamic Republic will continue to resist until it brings as much disgrace upon Washington as is possible.
Concerning the economic problems, we do not factor out the Americans evil role and their sanctions that are truly criminal, Ayatollah Khamenei said on Monday.
The Leader was addressing a joint graduation ceremony for a number of cadets of Iran's Armed Forces via a video call.
The country will keep up its steadfastness and resistance until turning Americas maximum pressure into maximum disgrace and a source of regret for them, Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
"Maximum pressure has been US President Donald Trumps signature foreign policy tactic towards Iran since his inauguration in 2016.
As part of the high-handed campaign, Trump took the US out of a historic nuclear accord between Iran and others in 2018. He then brought back the sanctions lifted under the deal in another illegal and unilateral move that defied the nuclear accord, also endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.
'Idle talk of US scoundrels'
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to a recent boast by Trump about Washingtons interference in the Iranian economy, saying, Only miscreants like you are capable of taking pride in such atrocity.
However, the USs own dire economic situation as witnessed by its thousands of billions of dollars in budget deficit as well as tens of millions of hungry citizens and people living below the poverty line is very bad itself, the Leader noted.
The Leader, meanwhile, reminded that although the source of many of the Islamic Republics predicaments lies abroad, their remedy lies inside the country and rests upon precise calculations, correct attitude towards national and regional affairs, as well as deployment of tact, endeavor, sagacity, and conviction.
The Leader said the countrys economic difficulties are solvable through round-the-clock endeavors by authorities, strong, inclusive, and untiring management, and finally focus upon domestic production and refusal to pin hope on foreign assistance.
By Gods grace, through strong devotion, and national conviction, the Iranian nation will nevertheless surmount its problems and parlay sanctions into instruments of strengthening its economy, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Therefore, the racket that is being made by the scoundrels, who are ruling the American nation should not preoccupy anyone, Ayatollah Khamenei advised.
The Leader went on to describe defensive power as well as cultural capability and solidity as the pillars that underpin a countrys national power together with economic strength and stability.
Security for the country is a very high and essential value, and a vital element, because without security all of the countrys values would suffer disruption, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Without the defensive power, a country is left at the mercy of such countries as the United States that are apt to commit aggression, abuse, interference and encroachment against other nations, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
You see today what acts of aggression are perpetrated against some countries, the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the countrys defensive prowess has not been spared the idle talk of American officials either.
The Leader said the reason they are talking about Irans defensive, missile, and regional capabilities is the Islamic Republics precise and rational calculations as well as the Americans own fear and shortcomings in this area.