Hassan Rouhani: Year 98 is also marked by sanctions and hardships like 97

Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasized that "Year 98 is also marked by sanctions and hardships like 97," while also describing recent rulings in the courts of The Hague and Luxembourg as "political and legal successes over the past year." Rouhani, who traveled to Khuzestan province to visit flood-affected areas, said on Friday, April 9, at the provincial crisis management coordination council: "We are facing economic problems [but] we must defeat the enemy with unity, solidarity, and cohesion." The Iranian President also stated that "the hardships of last year were overcome through the sacrifice and resistance of the people." After the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the reinstatement of all sanctions against Iran last year, officials of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly spoken about the difficult economic conditions in 97 but have made varying statements about the economic situation in 98. Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, head of the Planning and Budget Organization, stated in September 97 that the budget for the following year was being drafted "for hard conditions and with a pessimistic outlook." Last month, during parliamentary sessions to address the budget bill, several representatives repeatedly referred to the "harder conditions of year 98." However, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Minister of Interior, about three weeks ago at a governors' conference, described such topics as "diminishing the morale, hope, and motivation of the people" and said: "Contrary to the speculations of some individuals, next year will not be a hard year." Rouhani harshly criticized the U.S. government in his remarks on Friday in Khuzestan, calling the current U.S. administration "racist, law-breaking, and warmongering." The Iranian President's accusations against the U.S. government come at a time when the Islamic Republic itself is accused of "destructive actions in the region" and "interference in the internal affairs of other countries," while the U.S. refers to the Iranian government as "the largest supporter of terrorism in the world." Rouhani also accused the U.S. of "violating international regulations regarding Jerusalem and Golan," stating: "These actions are against the law and non-peaceful and violate international regulations." Nevertheless, Rouhani claimed that since the onset of the new round of sanctions, "we have been victorious in all international centers and forums regarding politics, law, and public opinion against the U.S." In his remarks, Rouhani referred to "two successes against the U.S. in The Hague court" and also the "recent ruling of the Luxembourg court," calling these instances "major legal successes." Rouhani's reference to The Hague court pertains to Iran's complaint regarding the seizure of its assets by the U.S.; however, it is unclear what he meant by "two successes." Last September, in the initial sessions of The Hague court, the U.S. rejected the court's jurisdiction over this case and also claimed that Iran's complaint "is not admissible due to its support for terrorism." Nevertheless, the International Court of Justice based in The Hague did not accept the U.S. objection and began hearing Iran's complaint. Rouhani's other reference was to a recent ruling by a court in Luxembourg, which on Thursday rejected the U.S. request to seize $1.6 billion of Iranian assets in that country. However, Reuters reported that the Luxembourg court has not yet decided whether the mentioned Iranian assets held by Clearstream company will be returned to the Islamic Republic.