On the occasion of the Iranian Government Week, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei met with President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members on Wednesday.
At this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei tapped on the economic problems caused by internal as well as external factors and stated the enemy has targeted the economy of Iran, because there already exist some economic problems and shortcomings. In the area of the economy, we should act vigorously and extensively, to fill all the gaps; these are all possible; there is no dead end in managing the country's economy.
Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned that economic corruption should be systematically confronted by “combating corruption and blocking corruption channels” which, “requires full alertness and awareness of the government managers.”
Leader attributed the recent crisis at foreign exchange markets in Iran to various factors, citing, in the recent issues of foreign currency and gold coin markets, even though some explanations were given [on what the factors are], ignorance and management reluctance also played a role.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised that today there are advanced methods for supervising foreign currency distribution. When foreign currency is to be allocated or enter the market, this should be done meticulously. Care must be taken so in the current difficult situation of the country, several billion dollars are will not end up at the hands of those who smuggle it or pretentiously demand it for importing certain products, but indeed use the money for other things; or that subsided foreign currency will not be allocated for holiday travels to overseas.
He praised the government as being capable to manage the economic crisis and added the government is capable of managing the economy; and to do so, it is necessary to work seriously, enter the realm effectively, and extensively and continuously supervise in order to block channels of corruption, so there would be no need for the Judiciary's confrontation.
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say negotiations with Iran is what all US governments need. They need to maneuver and pretend that, "we have even made the Islamic Republic of Iran sit at the negotiations table.” So, like I previously elaborated and argued, no negotiations will be held with US officials.
Ayatollah Khamenei said negotiations with the Europeans are fine, but don't pin your faith on them regarding JCPOA or the economy.
Criticizing Europe's inappropriate behavior on JCPOA, Leader noted that "we should be careful about their suspicious-looking promises."
Leader underlined that JCPOA is not a goal but a tool, and if we come to the conclusion that it is not possible to maintain national interests by the deal, we will put it aside.
Excluding any chance of negotiations with the Americans, Ayatollah Khamenei said the result of negotiations with former US officials let to the destruction of JCPOA; now with the current irreverent and rude officials who have expressed explicitly their hostility and animosity towards the Iranians, negotiations will not take place at all.
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