Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the United States will fail to achieve its objectives through economic pressure, stressing that Iran will continue to stand firm in the face of sanctions and external pressure.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting at the Central Bank of Iran, where he reviewed the latest monetary, foreign exchange and financial indicators with Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati and a group of prominent university economists, Iran’s English-language Press TV reports.
The meeting was held under what the president described as special circumstances arising from war, economic pressure and external challenges, following the announcement of a new US economic pressure campaign against Iran.
Pezeshkian said the government’s economic institutions had already prepared measures to address the pressure, adding that Washington would not succeed in achieving its goals through economic means.
“Just as America was unable to accomplish anything during the war, despite the bravery of the armed forces and the support and backing of the people, it will not be able to accomplish anything through economic pressure at this stage either,” he said.
Pezeshkian said the government remained committed to resolving issues through dialogue and engagement while maintaining a firm stance against economic pressure.
“Our approach is understanding and resolving issues through interaction and negotiation, but at the same time, we have stood firm against economic pressure as we have done so far, and we will continue to stand firm,” he said.
The president thanked government institutions and private sector organisations that, despite economic difficulties and challenges, had continued their efforts to meet people’s livelihood needs and maintain market stability.
During the meeting, economists presented proposals on addressing trade barriers and managing the new economic conditions, as well as on fiscal and budgetary policy, monetary and foreign exchange policy, trade and economic relations, enterprise management and related issues.
Officials also presented detailed reports on the foreign exchange market, liquidity, the country’s balance of payments, monetary regulation strategies and measures aimed at steering the economy during the war and its aftermath.
Pezeshkian reviewed the policymaking process and the implementation of economic programmes designed to stabilise markets and monitor living conditions, assessing both their strengths and shortcomings.
He stressed the importance of maintaining economic stability and containing inflation expectations under the current circumstances.
“Management of key markets, particularly the foreign exchange and money markets, under such circumstances requires complete cohesion and synergy among the monetary policymaking institution, the government and other economic pillars of the country,” Pezeshkian said.
The president also welcomed the proposals put forward by economists and emphasised the need to make greater use of expert opinion in economic policymaking.
He said the government regularly drew on the expertise of university professors and academics in addressing a range of national issues.
“One of these important issues is related to various economic fields, where professors and economic experts need to provide the government’s economic team with the necessary consultations,” he said.
