Khamenei: Iran's Major Economic Challenge is a Result of Showing Weakness Against the Enemy

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated that Iran's "major economic challenge" is a product of the "showing of weakness" by some against the "enemy," which has led them to increase pressure in this area. On Tuesday, March 7, during a meeting with those involved in the "Raheeyan Noor" camps, he said, "Feeling weak will encourage the enemy to attack" and "we must avoid showing feelings of weakness." Ayatollah Khamenei typically identifies the U.S. and Israel as enemies, accusing them of "conspiracy" against Iran and the "Islamic Revolution." Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel claim they do not have enmity with the Iranian people. The Supreme Leader pointed out that refraining from "showing weakness" will, in his description, lead to the "enemy's withdrawal from attack" and added: "Belief in standing against the oppressor" is one of the "wealths and cultural values of the Iranian nation." He emphasized that the belief that "if we stand firm, we will undoubtedly overcome the enemy" is another of the "wealths" of the Iranian people that, if "brought to the field, will be the source of great works." Previously, some principled figures and groups criticized the statements and positions of Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, and other officials of his government regarding Iran's dire economic situation following international sanctions. In this context, Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly supported the "JCPOA" agreement and considered it a precursor to the lifting of international sanctions against Iran. On July 11 of this year, he stated that during the sanctions, Iran's hand was extended towards others, and these sanctions did not bring dignity to the country. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, also stated on December 7, 2013, at Tehran University: "America, which can disable all our military systems with one bomb, does not fear our military system." These remarks at that time faced a strong reaction from conservative critics of Rouhani's government, to which Zarif responded by explaining that "the high position and capability of the Islamic Republic of Iran's defense power stem from the resistance of the brave and heroic people of Iran." Over the past three years, Hassan Rouhani and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have repeatedly criticized each other's positions, especially in foreign policy, without naming each other, and the Supreme Leader's remarks on Tuesday could be considered among the latest of these criticisms and responses. Rouhani also stated on March 1 of this year that "when we talk about interaction with the world, some people dislike it" and "some think that the more the country's doors are locked, the more security and health there will be." Meanwhile, the Supreme Leader, in his remarks on Tuesday, said that "one of the problems of the country today is the excessive and somewhat unaccounted imports compared to incomplete domestic production." He added: "Now there is a lot of cultural import, and all these cases are within the framework of the enemies' design to change the young generation into a dependent element on Western culture and useless for the country." The cultural policies of Hassan Rouhani's government have also been another area that has always faced criticism from Khamenei's supporters over the past three years, and the Supreme Leader has repeatedly criticized these policies both directly and indirectly during these years.