Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on the government of Ebrahim Raisi to terminate the sanctions while supporting diplomacy aimed at reviving the nuclear agreement and lifting sanctions.
Khamenei met with Raisi and his cabinet on the occasion of Government Week. He emphasized that the primary purpose of the sanctions imposed against Iran is to affect people's livelihood and hold it for ransom.
"Work is being done to terminate the sanctions, and negotiations are taking place," he said, referring to the diplomatic path that the US, Iran, and the parties to the nuclear agreement began in April 2021.
The talks aimed to bring Iran back to its nuclear commitments in exchange for lifting sanctions re-imposed by former US President Donald Trump.
Regarding foreign policy, Khamenei pointed out that some political elements believe that interactions with the world are limited to having warm, friendly relations with a few Western countries.
He emphatically stated, "This view is incorrect, reactionary, and belongs to 100 years ago when a few European countries controlled the world. However, that old, reactionary viewpoint must be put aside today."
Khamenei asserted that it must be realized that having relations with the world means having relations with Africa, South America, and Asia, where an immense amount of human and natural resources exists.
He explained that the criterion for international relations is the nation's interests and honor. "Domination and submission should not exist in our relations."
"One of the most important indicators of having neutralized sanctions is a reduction in inflation," he added.
Khamenei told the cabinet members that problems in the area of people's livelihood, such as high prices in housing and rent, overshadow all the good work and efforts of the government and cause their work to remain unseen.
Khamenei recommended that the government investigate the impact of any economic decision it might take, admitting that economic indicators showed noticeable progress and growth. He asserted the need to support domestic production.
The Supreme Leader tried to distance himself from bias towards the current government, pointing out that during his tenure as Iranian leader since 1989, he "supported" all the government, regardless of its orientations.
Khamenei's critics believe the policies he outlines undermine the government's powers, especially in the economy and foreign policy.
Many doubt the effectiveness of the Iranian parliament, believing it was subject to the Iranian leader in pressuring the government to follow his policy.
Khamenei believed the government's actions were not conveyed to the public to the extent they deserved, calling for activating the government's media.
He urged officials to attend university meetings with professors and students, cautioning that enemies use universities to gain support against the country.
Earlier, the Iranian President held a press conference to defend his record on foreign policy and the economy.
The President said that the spread of coronavirus, the decrease in the stock of essential goods, and many other problems had created doubts about how the government wants to manage this situation and move the country forward.
Raisi referred to some statistics on the reduction of production inflation, an increase in production machinery and production growth rate, and a drop in the unemployment rate.
