Response of Rouhani's Deputy to Criticism of Government Performance in 'Resistance Economy'

One day after the criticism of the government by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Iran's First Vice President, Es'haq Jahangiri, in a letter to the Chairman of the Assembly of Experts, rejected the criticisms regarding the government's performance on 'Resistance Economy' and stated that those who should be 'accountable' for their actions in this regard are 'interrogating the government.' In this letter, published on Friday, March 10, in Iranian media including IRNA, Jahangiri reported that he requested to attend the Assembly of Experts meeting to present a report on the government's actions, but he was not given this opportunity. In his letter to Ahmad Jannati, the Chairman of the Assembly of Experts and a critic of the government, he emphasized that Iran's economy in 1395 (2016) has become 'more resistant' compared to previous years, and the government has had 'performance beyond expectations' in this regard. Jahangiri's defense of Rouhani contrasts with the view of Ayatollah Khamenei, who apparently believes that the 'Resistance Economy' has not progressed under the government's management and has not been effective so far. On Thursday, March 9, the Supreme Leader expressed doubt about the accuracy of the government's statistics regarding the improvement of people's economic conditions, stating that 'these do not affect people's lives and livelihoods in the short and medium term.' Jahangiri, who is the head of the 'Resistance Economy Command Headquarters,' announced on Friday that he had sent a report of the actions of this headquarters along with his letter to Mr. Jannati and requested that this report be read at the Assembly of Experts meeting. He stated that he had expressed his readiness to attend the Assembly of Experts meeting to present the government's performance report and respond to the representatives of this assembly, but his attendance was not 'possible.' Ahmad Jannati, the Chairman of the Assembly of Experts and Secretary of the Guardian Council, had previously asked Hassan Rouhani in a meeting of this assembly to report on the government's actions for the realization of the 'Resistance Economy' and to 'apologize to the people if he has not acted on the Resistance Economy.' One day later, Hassan Rouhani reacted to these remarks, calling the question of whether the government has succeeded in the 'Resistance Economy' an 'irrelevant question' and 'the worst question.' Rouhani stated: 'We are definitely victorious in the Resistance Economy. Because we have a great nation, an efficient government, and an educated and aware leadership that guides us, and the people are present, and the government is also fulfilling its duty.' In his letter to Ahmad Jannati, Jahangiri also emphasized that 'repairing the chronic and long-standing diseases of the Iranian economy requires more empathy, cooperation, and participation, and a longer time.' He reminded that the audience of the policies announced by the Supreme Leader regarding the 'Resistance Economy' was not only the government but 'all branches of the system.' According to Jahangiri, 'Despite the special organization and extensive attention to the subject, the government is always interrogated by those who themselves should also be accountable for their actions' and should explain to the people and the Supreme Leader 'what actions they have taken to realize these policies.' Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized on Thursday that in 1394 (2015) 'no desirable movement' was made regarding the 'Resistance Economy,' and for this reason, he named 1395 (2016) the year of 'Resistance Economy, Action, and Work.' The 'Resistance Economy,' which means the country's economy not being dependent on foreign sources, was designed for the conditions of sanctions against Iran, and the Supreme Leader has repeatedly emphasized its implementation in recent years. In mid-April, Ayatollah Khamenei asked Mr. Jahangiri to play a special role in the 'Command Headquarters of the Resistance Economy.' Following this request, Es'haq Jahangiri on April 19 announced plans for implementing what is described as 'Resistance Economy' to government organizations. Meanwhile, the 'Resistance Economy Headquarters' has also been established within the government. The emphasis of Ayatollah Khamenei on implementing the 'Resistance Economy' comes at a time when some economists and political figures have described institutions under the Supreme Leader as one of the main obstacles to implementing the 'Resistance Economy' and also to transparency in the Iranian economy. For instance, Majid Farahani, Secretary-General of the Iranian Voice Party, previously pointed out that 'if the Resistance Economy means establishing an economy without oil and managing the country with taxes, currently more than 40% of Iran's economy is under the control of foundations and institutions that do not pay a single rial in taxes and rely on power rent to monopolize all national and developmental projects in an unfair and unequal competition.'