Speaking during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Rouhani said, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to export oil despite US sanctions."
“In the past 9 months, Iran's trade balance has been positive due to the $750m non-oil exports, indicating that the activities of the economic executives and the private and public sectors have been successful,” he added.
Rouhani said, “based on oil minister's reports, Iran's oil sales have been continuing just as it was expected, but there are some minor issues that are solvable and will be solved soon."
Pointing to the reports on employment, he said, “these figures show that in autumn this year, we have had 623 thousand net employment and this is promising given the current conditions of the country."
“For the first time, our net employment rate has reached to almost 24 million people, while at the beginning of the current government’s term of office, 20.6 million people were employed in the country,” Rouhani added.
On the achievements of the defence ministry, he said, “minister of defence presented a good report on achievements regarding mid-range, long-range, air-to-air, surface-to-sea, and sea-to-sea missiles, as well as drones."
“We’ll never hesitate to boost our defensive power,” said Rouhani, adding, “one of the goals of my administration is to boost the defensive power of the country and figures prove we have been a pioneer in this field."
He also said that every opportunity should be used for the country’s prosperity, adding, “Of course, this does not mean that we are hoping for others’ help”.
Rouhani went on to refer to regional issues, saying, “recently, we have witnessed an important incident in the region."
“Americans have been claiming from 2003 that they have saved Iraq and Afghanistan, but if they are right, then why they don’t make a public official visit to Iraq to see how Iraqi people welcome them?” he added.
President also said, “entering a small military base at night and taking pictures with a few soldiers, having a short speech and then leaving Iraq two hours later means that you have been defeated."
Rouhani also addressed US officials, saying, “I hope the White House has learned its lesson for 2019 not to interfere in the lives of other peoples, especially the people of Palestine and the Holy Quds, which is related to the World of Islam and all Muslims, and act within the framework of the law."
LR/PR