Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani issued the televised statements to the Iranian people on the occasion of Nowruz, Persian New Year. Both focused on the importance of economic improvements for the coming year. Khamenei accused the United States of not fulfilling its pledges under the nuclear deal citing holdups on Iran regaining access to the banking system and its assets. Rouhani, however, said the nuclear agreement “broke the chains of sanctions” and “prepared the ground” for economic activity. The following are excerpts from their speeches.
Like all other years, 1394, was a combination of ups & downs, & sweetness & bitterness. That is nature of life. 1/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Like all other years, 1394, was a combination of ups & downs, & sweetness & bitterness. That is nature of life. 1/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
All days of one’s life include opportunities &threats. Our skill lies in benefiting from opportunities &turning threats into opportunities.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Iranian nation must in New Year put an end to any vulnerabilities against threats and hostilities of enemies. #Nowruz
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
I assume economy is top priority in New Year. With Resistance Economy we can resist against enemies’ threats & create opportunities. #Nowruz
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
In economy main issue is domestic production; issue of Employment, economic boom & halting recession. They are what people are dealing with.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
What I choose as motto of this year is “the Resistance Economy: Action and Implementation” #Nowruz pic.twitter.com/rP91NpZj8j
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
The reason behind choosing an economic motto for this year is an analysis and a review of the whole issues of the country. #Nowruz
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Currently, policies of the arrogance, particularly US, demands insertion of a dilemmatic mindset among the elites and public opinion. 1/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
That dilemma is either getting along with the US or suffering US pressures and the consequent difficulties forever. 2/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
There are of course some inside #Iran who believe in& accept this moving discourse of arrogance system & try to convince others as well. 1/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
They believe ME or domestic problems can be solved by JCPOA 2&3; this means giving up principles & red lines & yielding to the arrogance.2/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Yielding means Iran would ignore committed principles like supporting #Palestine & resistance in region & the oppressed in #Bahrain& #Yemen.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Other meaning of yielding is Iran, like some Arab states flagrantly extending friendship hand to Zionist enemy, reconciles with Zionists.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
The US desire is that Iran would even give up on its defensive means as well.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
They constantly blame Iran’s missile program, but US holds joint drills 1000s of miles far from its borders where it has no responsibility.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Arrogance will get to question why IRGC & Quds Force ever exist? Why Constitution demands Islamic Republic’s policies to comply with Islam.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
If you surrender to the enemy while you can #resist, the enemy will step forward and will not stop.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Arrogance believes if Iranian nation wants to get rid of US, it must give up content of Islamic Republic & Islamic notions & its security
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
In #IranDeal also US didn’t fulfill its pledges. As @JZarif said they did something on paper, but by detours barred Iran’s objectives.#JCPOA
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Today, our banking deals & release of our wealth have problems in west as they fear from US, while on paper they vowed lifting of sanctions.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Iran is strategically unique in region & has other resources besides gas & oil. Before Revolution US had full grasp on Iran & looted it. 1/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
US hostility against #Iran ends only when it gains the same rule over the country again. 2/2
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Today many countries in region & beyond say 'Death to US'. Iranian nation showed resilience is possible & others learned.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Those with Great Middle East slogan have now failed in Iraq, Syria, Yemen & Palestine & blame Iran. Their enmity toward Iran is fundamental.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
US officials keep sanctions on one hand & give #Nowruz message on other hand & set Haft-Seen table in White House; these are deceptions.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
US hasn’t known our nation yet. Iranians are aware & know enemies. Of course we have no problem with people in US. US officials are enemies.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
In few months US administration will change & there is no assurance next administration would implement even its few commitments in #JCPOA.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
American presidential candidates are racing in saying bad words against Iran which is their hostility.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
One of enemy’s means of hostility is propaganda and Iranophobia, another is infiltration and the other is sanction. pic.twitter.com/a2Vv8mCQtr
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
In facing enemy sanctions we should either tolerate difficulties of sanctions or resist through #ResistanceEconomy.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 20, 2016
Happy #Nowruz to my fellow Iranians, wherever you are in the world, & to all who celebrate this ancient tradition. pic.twitter.com/jYA1sb6HeZ
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) March 20, 2016