Rouhani's Deputy Communicates 'Resistance Economy' Plans

The Deputy President of Iran has communicated plans for implementing what is described as 'Resistance Economy' to government organizations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei designated the year 1395 (2016) as the year of 'Resistance Economy.' The Supreme Leader has repeatedly used this terminology to describe an economic model that appears to be independent of foreign countries. In mid-April, Khamenei asked Eshaq Jahangiri, Deputy of Hassan Rouhani, to play a 'special role' in leading the Resistance Economy headquarters. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, reported on April 30 that Jahangiri has communicated 'approved projects from the national Resistance Economy working groups' to several ministries and government organizations. The Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, Ministry of Oil, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and organizations such as the Management and Planning Organization or the Central Bank of Iran, as well as the state-run radio and television, are among these executive bodies. According to this communication, prioritized projects will be placed at the forefront of the executive programs of government agencies. Previously, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, head of the Management and Planning Organization, stated that 48 projects among 240 government projects have been defined for achieving 'Resistance Economy' this year. Nobakht mentioned that these projects will be implemented in areas such as agriculture, oil, industry, and mining. According to Jahangiri's communication, the projects for the year 1395 must be executed by the 'executive body' with priority within the framework of what is called 'integrated system for advancing and monitoring Resistance Economy.' According to ISNA news agency, the Deputy of Rouhani emphasized on Tuesday that 'launching domestic production, developing exports, and transferring unfinished construction projects to the private sector are among the government's most important programs' for the year 1395. Fereydoun Khavand, an economic analyst, told Radio Farda that there are two views on 'Resistance Economy' in Iran; 'the economic team of Hassan Rouhani's government, which supports closer ties to the international economy and creating transformation in the economic system,' and the viewpoint of the Supreme Leader, who 'believes that no significant progress has been made regarding lifting sanctions and wants to maintain the closed state of Iran's economy.' Recently, the Supreme Leader, in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy, accused the U.S. of 'not fulfilling' its commitments regarding the nuclear deal and stated that the movement and negotiations of European companies with Iran have not yet been 'tangible.' The White House spokesperson stated on April 27 that in the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, no commitment was made regarding Tehran's access to the U.S. financial system, and Washington does not consider such an action to be under review.