Iran's President Attributes 'Hopelessness' To Foreign Enemies
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on his second anniversary in office blamed external enemies for the perceived hopelessness among Iranians amid an economic crisis.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on his second anniversary in office blamed external enemies for the perceived hopelessness among Iranians amid an economic crisis.
While calling on all sectors of society to unite and foster hope, Raisi did not directly address the prevailing disappointment with the officials' performance in the country.
The term "enemies," a rhetoric commonly used by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, denotes the United States, Israel, US allies in the region, and Europe.
Critics, however, contend that lack of hope among the people has deeper roots in government mismanagement and reluctance to engage in resolving differences with the West, and repression.
Iran has faced economic challenges for over a decade due to international sanctions that reduced its vital oil export revenues, further exacerbating the inefficiency of the government's control over the economy. The regime's persistence in maintaining its controversial nuclear program has contributed to the imposition of sanctions.
A brief respite in 2016-2017 came when the JCPOA accord lifted UN-imposed sanctions. Nevertheless, former US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the deal and the imposition of unilateral sanctions in 2018 led to soaring inflation, and drastic devaluation of the currency.
The country's economic situation has been a cause of growing concern, with inflation rates ranking just behind troubled economies such as Venezuela, Sudan, Argentina, and Zimbabwe.
Even politicians loyal to the regime have begun to criticize President Raisi's government for its inability to address the crisis. However, the decision on resolving the nuclear dispute lie with Iran's anti-West ruler, Ali Khamenei.
