While speaking online at the inauguration of a national project, the president was cited by IRNA as hailing the country's resistance during the three and a half years of economic sanctions, adding that Iran has proved to be a hub of investment and production.
In his response to the recent announcement from the US Treasury about easing barriers against the import of COVID-related materials, Rouhani said the statement proved that the US blocked everything for Iran, including humanitarian materials, adding that Iran's production capacities and export of masks and COVID-19 vaccines prompted the US to make the announcement.
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He further stated that regardless of inflation, the country is overflowing with numerous goods, signifying that the economic war has failed to crush Iran's economy.
The president expressed confidence that free-trade zones in Iran would spur investment. He cited ties with Azerbaijan and joint projects with Iraq, such as the Basra-Shalamcheh railroad, which would connect Iran to the Mediterranean, as an incentive for foreign investments.