News / Politics

US tried to bring Iran to its knees, but nation foiled plot through resistance: Rouhani

Tuesday, 03 December 2019 11:35 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 December 2019 11:53 AM ]

Iran's President Hassan Rouhnai speaks in a meeting with a group of disabled people in Tehran on December 3, 2019. (Photo by president.ir)

President Hassan Rouhani says the United States resorted to “unprecedented” economic pressure to bring Iran to its knees, but the nation successfully thwarted the plot through resistance.

Rouhani made the remarks at a meeting with a group of disabled people in Tehran on Tuesday, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The president slammed the harsh sanctions the US re-imposed on Iran after abandoning the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“These unprecedented sanctions — which they (the Americans) themselves call maximum economic pressure — were meant to realize their dream of bringing us to our knees by the end of the current Persian calendar year (March 21),” he said of the plot.

“Not only the US, which is a criminal and terrorist state, but also other states were assuming that this would happen to Iran,” he added.

However, Rouhani emphasized, the Iranian nation thwarted the US conspiracy by putting up resistance.

“Despite all the heavy economic pressure and the unfair sanctions, the Iranian people preserved their dignity, overcame difficult situations and emerged victorious by exercising resistance and enduring hardships. They also showed that, through resistance, they would not allow the enemy to obtain its objectives,” he said.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhnai speaks in a meeting with a group of disabled people in Tehran on December 3, 2019. (Photo by president.ir)

Faced with the Iranian nation’s firm resistance, the enemies are now even seeking dialog and “sending us private offers talks,” the Iranian chief executive added.

“Messages and requests for negotiations that they send us privately are contrary to their rhetoric in public,” he said, noting that even “the European states that are [acting as] mediators, are aware of that."

He was referring to efforts by certain European states, especially France, to help decrease Tehran-Washington tensions.

Commenting on a decision in mid-November to ration fuel, Rouhani said the government was making every effort to reduce pressure on vulnerable people.

The measure was taken on in a bid to contain excessive fuel consumption and prevent the country from becoming reliant on gasoline imports in the future amid the economic sanctions, he explained, adding that the additional revenue from the scheme will be completely expended to improve the living conditions of social groups that are in need of economic support.

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