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Washington reimposed strict sanctions against Iran last Tuesday
and President Donald Trump has threatened to penalize firms from
other countries that continue to operate in the Islamic
Republic. Iran has denounced the sanctions as "U.S.
unilateralism".
"More than the sanctions, economic mismanagement (by the
government) is putting pressure on ordinary Iranians ... I do
not call it betrayal but a huge mistake in management," Iranian
state TV quoted Khamenei as saying, in his first reaction to the
reimposition of U.S. sanctions.
"With better management and planning we can resist the sanctions
and overcome them," Khamenei said.
Iran's rial currency has lost about half of its value since
April in anticipation of the renewed U.S. sanctions, driven
mainly by heavy demand for dollars among ordinary Iranians
trying to protect their savings.
Iranian officials have blamed "enemies" for the fall of the
currency and a rapid rise in the price of gold coins, and more
than 60 people, including several officials, have been arrested
on charges that carry the death penalty.
"The fall of the rial and the increase in gold coin prices are
major economic problems... The corrupt people (officials) should
be punished firmly," Khamenei said told a gathering attended by
thousands of Iranians, state TV reported.
"ECONOMIC WAR"
Khamenei on Saturday called for "swift and just" legal action by
new courts set up to tackle corruption after the head of the
judiciary said Iran was facing an "economic war", Iranian media
reported.
Fearing further economic hardship, thousands of Iranians in
recent weeks have protested against the slump in the rial, sharp
rises in the prices of some food items and state corruption.
The protests in cities and towns across Iran have often begun
with slogans against the high cost of living, high prices and a
lack of jobs, but have then quickly turned into anti-government
rallies.
Trump reimposed the sanctions after pulling the United States
out of an international accord that aims to curb Iran's nuclear
program. He said the deal was not working and also has said Iran
must stop meddling in conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
The sanctions prevent Iran from trading in gold and precious
metals. They also ban purchases of U.S. dollars by Iran and
sanction its automotive sector.
Unless Iran's clerical rulers comply with the U.S. demands, more
sanctions targeting Iran's oil and shipping industries are set
for November.
(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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