Hassan Rouhani: People Have Gained More Hope After U.S. Sanctions

The President of Iran claimed without providing evidence that people have gained more hope after November 4 and the complete return of U.S. sanctions, stating that the 'perceptions' about the 'disruption of people's lives' on that date are 'false and incorrect.' Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday, November 13, at a meeting of the National Social Council: 'People have gained more hope after November 4 compared to before, whereas before that date, some believed that specific events would occur and that everyone's lives would be disrupted.' He added: 'After that day, everyone observed that these perceptions were false and incorrect, and none of the enemy's claims came to fruition as they expected.' Rouhani did not provide evidence for his claim that people 'have gained more hope after November 4.' His statements come at a time when since Farvardin (March-April) and following reports about the possibility of the U.S. exiting the JCPOA, the price of the dollar in Iran has been on the rise. Meanwhile, some experts had stated that prior to the complete return of U.S. sanctions on November 4, the psychological impacts of this issue had fully affected the currency market, and the dollar price would no longer rise. The increase in the dollar price has affected other economic indicators in Iran and raised the inflation rate. According to Central Bank statistics, the inflation rate reached 15.9% in Mehr (September-October). The Central Bank had announced the inflation rate in Shahrivar (August-September) as 13.5%. This rate was reported as 11.5% in Mordad (July-August). Thus, the inflation rate has not only maintained its upward trend but has also accelerated compared to the previous month. Some Iranian media have even warned about the possibility of inflation advancing towards rates of 50%, 65%, or even 'Venezuelanization' of Iran. Additionally, reports have emerged about stockpiling goods by some individuals. Rouhani stated that people 'are facing economic and livelihood problems due to sanctions, and the issue is compounded for those with fixed incomes.' The U.S. Treasury Deputy stated that more actions against Iran are on the way. He also expressed confidence that political, economic, and social problems 'will be resolved... and people should be hopeful about overcoming these issues.' The Iranian president did not provide any solutions in this regard. Previously, Rouhani had claimed in different statements that sanctions 'have had no effect on the country's economic process.' This is while he had stated after reaching a nuclear agreement with six world powers in July 2015 that due to previous U.S. and European sanctions, 'an extra $700 was paid out of people's pockets for each container.' The Iranian government has announced that to compensate for the economic impacts of U.S. sanctions, it will provide low-income individuals with amounts that can only be used to purchase food. Iranian media have referred to this 'goods card' as an 'electronic coupon.' During the Iran-Iraq war and for several years afterward, some food items such as meat, rice, and sugar were distributed among the people in coupon form. U.S. officials have stated that the goal of these sanctions is to 'change the behavior of the Islamic Republic,' and in the latest remarks, John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, said that the U.S. will increase pressure on the Islamic Republic 'until it is drained.' Rouhani's comments about women's presence in stadiums: The Attorney General's attack on the entry of women into Azadi Stadium. The Iranian president also said on Tuesday that 'the level of public satisfaction and happiness can be increased with some low-cost actions in society.' He added: 'What is wrong with allocating part of a sports stadium, which does not contradict the law, Sharia, and the resolution of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, to women?' In the match between Iran's Persepolis and Japan's Kashima Antlers held last Saturday, a number of women were selectively present. According to reports, the Iranian government yielded to FIFA's pressure for the presence of these women in the stadium. After the selective presence of some women during a friendly match between the Iranian and Bolivian football teams, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, the Attorney General, threatened that if women's presence in stadiums continues, 'we will take legal action.'