According to Reuters, in a speech broadcasted live on state television, Rouhani said his country would overcome the economic challenges and show "the anti-iranian officials in the White House" that the sanctions policy would fail.
"The economic problems are critical, but more important than that is that many people have lost their faith in the future of the Islamic Republic and are in doubt about its power," Rouhani was quoted as saying by Reuters.
On Monday, Rouhani said that Tehran expects other signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, to propel their efforts to save the deal, now that the United States has withdrawn from the multilateral accord.
"Iran has lived up to all its obligations stated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and with regard to US’ unilateral withdrawal from the deal, the other parties to it are expected to boost efforts and transparency for saving the deal," Rouhani said, as quoted on the presidential website, in a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
READ MORE: Iran Awaits EU Guarantees on Oil Sales, Bank Relations Amid US Sanctions
In May, US President Donald Trump announced the decision to leave the JCPOA and re-impose sanctions against Tehran and third states doing business with Iran. The first set of economic restrictions, including ban on purchasing US currency, trading in gold and other precious metals, buying aluminum and steel for industrial purposes, and performing activities related to Iran’s sovereign debt, took effect on August 5.
Following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, the European Union along with other signatories to the accord has repeatedly stressed their interest in preserving ties with Iran. Since then, the European Union has amended its Blocking Statute to protect the interests of EU companies doing business with Iran.
READ MORE: US Sanctions: 'An Attempt to Influence the Political Sphere in Iran' — Expert
