Rouhani: Sanctions Fail to Stop Iran’s Economic Growth

“Last year, we had more than 7% industrial growth, while many countries had negative economic growth last year and the world economy shrank by 3%, in the year 1399 (March 21 2019-2020) Iran witnessed a positive economic growth of 3.6%,” Rouhani said at a virtual inauguration ceremony of several national projects. 

Rouhani said that he would hand over power to the next president with a 3.6% economic growth while appreciating the people for their patience and resistance amid the pressures of sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic.

He praised the achievements made during his administration in the past 8 years since 2013, saying that the domestic “steel industry chain” was completed during his tenure.

The president further noted that “There are many mines in the country in different fields. Our mining sector is vast. 590 million tons are excavated from these mines only this year, which is a great blessing.”

He also pointed out that the natural mines can create jobs for a lot of Iranians.

Rouhani also referred to the US sanctions, saying that the American government wanted to starve the Iranian nation.

He pointed out that the US maximum pressure campaign failed through his administration’s proper planning and the people’s resistance.

In relevant remarks in May, Rouhani said that although the sanctions created big problems for Iran’s economy, they could not stop Iran’s economic growth as the inaugurations of major projects under the sanctions show.

“Sanctions couldn’t block our development. In the past year, we have been able to inaugurate17 petrochemical projects despite being coronavirus and the sanctions pressures. We were able to complete these important projects.”

He added that the world powers today admit that the sanctions have failed, expressing optimism that they would be lifted.