Shaken by Riots, Iranian President Tries to Assure Constituents it Can Withstand Sanctions

Amid reports that Iranians in the street and government officials are equally stricken by the intensity of anti-government rallies in the streets of Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani has tried to assure his constituents that the American sanctions can be managed. Tuesday was the second day of rioting in demonstrations against the weakening currency and growing financial distress. Trying to deflect criticism underlying the protests, Rouhani used a television broadcast speech to tell Iranians that the government’s income is stable but the impression that it is not comes from “propaganda in foreign media.” He promised that “even in the worst case, the needs of Iranians will be provided.” Rouhani claimed, “We have enough sugar, wheat, and cooking oil. We have enough foreign currency to inject into the market.” The president vowed that the US would pay a price for their actions, dismissing sanctions as part of a “psychological, economic and political war.”