Jahangiri: 12 National Programs Developed for Achieving Resistance Economy

Following the designation of the year 1395 (2016) as the year of 'Resistance Economy, Action and Work' by the Leader of the Islamic Republic, the First Vice President announced that '12 national programs' have been developed with the aim of 'achieving a resistance economy.' According to the state news agency IRNA, Eshaq Jahangiri stated on Sunday, April 2, that 'dozens of operational projects have also been developed for each of these programs.' He did not provide details on these programs and projects. According to Mr. Jahangiri, 'five main approaches of outward orientation, inward orientation, people-centeredness, knowledge-based economy, and justice in all economic foundations have been determined for achieving a resistance economy.' Meanwhile, according to the Tasnim news agency, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, referring to the Leader's remarks, stated that 'the resistance economy is the path of the government's economic programs.' He announced that, at the Leader's directive, a 'headquarters and command center' has been established for this purpose, and 'the necessary circulars and regulations' have been issued. At the same time, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman, also stated without referring to details that the resistance economy program will be 'implemented from the beginning of this year.' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Republic, has named the year 1395 as 'Resistance Economy, Action and Work' as he has in previous years. In his Nowruz message, he stated that this form of economy is 'the remedy for economic problems and a response to the people's demands.' Mr. Khamenei has repeatedly emphasized 'resistance economy,' which is used to describe an economy that is independent of foreign countries, especially during sanctions. In the last days of the previous year, he also mentioned in a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts that, according to one of the commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, 'even if they surround our country,' this institution will not face problems in missile production, stating 'this means progress.' In contrast, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran, on Saturday, March 22, without directly referring to Mr. Khamenei's remarks, said: 'Can we be happy about being surrounded in today's world?' On Sunday, Ali Tayebnia, the Minister of Economy of Iran, welcomed the Leader's remarks and announced that the government will make every effort in 1395 to 'strengthen the national economy,' 'boost domestic production,' 'solve the problem of recession,' 'maintain the declining inflation rate,' and 'further improve the business environment.' Mr. Tayebnia also emphasized that the Vienna nuclear agreement has rendered Western sanctions against Iran 'ineffective.' Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Parliament, also referred to the Leader's remarks, stating that the government, parliament, and all institutions must 'provide the grounds for people's participation in the economy.' According to the IRIB news agency, Mr. Larijani emphasized that the Vienna nuclear agreement and elections have 'provided the power for an economic leap.' These statements from Islamic Republic officials come at a time when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism about the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement, stating that the U.S. has lifted sanctions 'on paper' but 'acts in ways that prevent the effects of lifting sanctions from materializing and having any impact at all.'