Iran Faces Successive US Sanctions, Mojtaba Khamenei Issues New Call to Action
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for the strengthening of domestic production and a reduction in dependency on the US dollar amidst economic pressure caused by a series of new sanctions from Washington. According to Mojtaba, such steps are necessary to overcome the various economic issues facing Iran.
As is known, US Vice President JD Vance stated that lowering oil and petrol prices for the American people is Washington’s top priority in its conflict with Iran. Meanwhile, efforts to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons are now ranked second, according to Vance.
This stance is more aggressive than the statement made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on 4 August. At that time, Bessent told CNBC that an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could potentially be reached within days.
That statement also boosted Wall Street and pressured oil prices. Previously, in July, the US Treasury Department expanded sanctions against Iranian shipping and financial networks after Tehran launched attacks on international vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
In his latest statement, Mojtaba suggested that increasing reliance on Iran’s domestic production could be the key to addressing the country’s economic problems. He also called for a gradual reduction of the US dollar’s dominant role in the national economy.
In a message commemorating Iran’s Government Week, Mojtaba urged the government to pay serious attention to interconnected economic and social welfare issues. These include inflation, unemployment, price controls, and the regulation of goods and services markets.
“The key to overcoming all these issues lies in increasing reliance on domestic production,” said Iran’s Supreme Leader.
He subsequently called for several measures to encourage economic growth, increase investment, and direct investment towards essential and beneficial sectors. Furthermore, he encouraged increased production and a gradual reduction in dollar dependency. Ultimately, the entire “resistance economy” policy is expected to become a top priority in the Iranian government’s economic agenda.
Mojtaba, who has not appeared in public since taking office in early March, also emphasised the importance of ensuring adequate supplies of essential and specialised goods. He added that if domestic production is insufficient, imports must be utilised “appropriately and wisely.”
According to Mojtaba, efforts to encourage production and manage imports and prices can gradually reduce the “dark spots” in the Iranian economy until these problems disappear entirely.
As Washington implements additional sanctions to cripple Tehran’s economy, the Iranian Rial exchange rate has plummeted to record lows. Most recently, against the US dollar in the free market this week, it breached the 2,000,000 Rial per US dollar mark.
Iran’s Supreme Leader also highlighted the importance of implementing technology and innovation developed by Iran’s young elite. He believes that the timely use of such technology and innovation can drive significant progress in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, communications, and education.
Mojtaba also praised President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration for its ability to provide necessary goods and services, repair essential facilities, and manage energy supplies amidst “American-Zionist enemy restrictions and conspiracies” and the “intensification of sanctions and blockades.” Mojtaba described Pezeshkian as a “sincere and attentive” President.
In his statement, Mojtaba also called for efforts to maintain “unity and social cohesion.” He warned against any statements that dampen morale or weaken national and public motivation, as well as any false dichotomies—such as war versus negotiation or consensus versus extremism—that have caused direct or indirect harm to society in the past.
“Therefore, I emphasise that any action that damages social cohesion is prohibited,” the Supreme Leader stated firmly.