Iran's problems "internal, not just sanctions": Khamenei
[TEHRAN] Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that the country's economic problems were the result of internal mismanagement by the government and not just US pressure.
"Economic experts and many officials believe the cause of this issue is not foreign, it's internal," he said in a speech in Tehran, according to tweets released on his official account.
"Not that sanctions don't have an impact, but the main factor is how we handle them."
He referred specifically to the collapse in the currency, which has lost around half its value since April.
"If our performance is better, more prudent, timely and effective, sanctions will not have that much effect and can be resisted," he added.
The speech was not immediately televised. They are usually broadcast later in the day.
There have been widespread protests and strikes in recent weeks over high prices, unemployment and the wider management of the economy.
Analysts say US hostility, including its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions, helped fuel the run on Iran's rial.
But many say it has only exacerbated long-standing problems within Iran - and pressure has mounted from within the system on President Hassan Rouhani to improve his management of the economy and tackle corruption.
AFP
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Oil prices steady after Iran plays down reported Israeli attack
G7 pledges swift aid for Ukraine, seeks to calm Middle East
H5N1 strain of bird flu found in milk: WHO
China moves to boost foreign investment in domestic tech companies
Xi orders China’s biggest military reorganisation since 2015
Warner Bros CEO earned US$49.7 million in strike-impacted year