Rouhani: Sanctions target ordinary Iranians; US isolated

“Today, the United States is isolated in the public opinion of the world, and is even more secluded among the Iranian people because the US sanctions plan is against the Iranian people,” Rouhani said on Saturday.

Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump boasted that his decision to leave the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on the country was creasing “a lot of problems” for the Iranians.  

“They’re feeling a lot of pain right now,” he told a news conference at a NATO leaders summit.

Rouhani said, “If the sanctions were for a particular sector and industry, they (the US) could have been justified for its excuses, but these sanctions are a general and blind measure that would put pressure on the people of Iran.”

“Therefore, their plan is to pressure the Iranian people, as they pressure other nations,” he added.

The president said US leaders today are detested among Muslims and developing countries more than ever, and even face problems within the United States.

“Current American rulers are treating adventurously and illegally not only the Iranian people, but also other nations, and even their own allies,” he said.

Rouhani referred to protests held in Britain against the visit of President Trump who had to hold his meetings outside London.

“You saw how the people of a nation most allied to the US reacted to Trump’s recent trip to Britain. The people's encounter in London and other cities was such that they had to change official ceremonies for the trip.”

Rouhani said he is confident the United States cannot continue the path and policy that it applies to Iran, the Middle East, the world of Islam, other world powers and even its allies.

“And the path that the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken - the path of endurance, resistance, planning, coordination with the people and engaging with friendly governments around the world -  can thwart the plots,” he said.

“Today, we are more powerful than before to confront our enemy's plots and continue our path. Our people must rest assured that despite pressures, we can manage the situation with the support of the people and get over the problems.”

The first group of US sanctions on Iran’s automotive sector, gold trade, and other industries will “snap back” on August 4. Further sanctions on oil and transactions with the central bank of Iran will come into effect November 6.

Rouhani said state officials and the government have had “good contacts” with various European countries, China and Russia, as well as neighboring countries and important Asian countries to deal with the situation.

“The vast majority of countries for whom independence and sovereignty is important have answered positively and said they will not go under domestic American rules.”

Rouhani said in the field of energy, transportation, basic goods and production, there will be no problem for the country.

“We have always won when the government and the people were together,” he said, adding “we are very hopeful that Iran's economic engagement with the world will continue as before.”

“For the items that we may face problems, we have plans and solutions,” Rouhani said without elaboration.