Raisi: We achieved economic progress; "Israel's" threats reflect fear

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stressed on Monday that attracting $5.160 billion of domestic and foreign capital despite the embargo and sanctions imposed on the country during the past year indicates the success of his government in achieving economic stability.

In a press conference held on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of his presidency, Raisi added that his government succeeded during the past six months in reducing inflation from 60% to 40%, noting, that they "no longer suffer from problems related to the stock of basic goods and commodities."

He explained that over the past year, the level of trade exchange increased at least four times, pointing out that "the level of Iranian exports indicates a lack of recognition of the embargo measures."

Read: Iran's exports to African countries climb by 107% over year

Raisi added, "We no longer suffer from power shortage, and we are carrying out projects to increase power production," noting that "Khorasan no longer suffers from a gas shortage, and the water shortage issue in the province has also been resolved."

The Iranian President continued, "We paid the debts of the previous government, and despite the budget deficit, the salaries of employees were not delayed even for a day." 

Raisi confirmed that negotiations are ongoing to release some of his country's frozen assets, stressing that "the US embargo measures are unjust and must end quickly."

Regarding his country's participation in the Shanghai Organization, Raisi said that this helps Tehran obtain its share of the regional economy, noting that "Iran's membership in the Shanghai Organization is very important for the country."

He stated that signing Iran's membership documents to the Shanghai Organization will take place in the next meeting in Samarkand, adding, "We are determined to strengthen relations with China in various fields."

Raisi confirmed the continuation of developing relations with neighboring countries and emphasized the necessity of dialogue with them, without "any foreign interference", commenting that the US presence in the region "threatens security and stability."

During his speech, the Iranian President announced that he will not meet with his US counterpart Joe Biden, because such a meeting "is not in the interest of the Iranian people."

Regarding his country's nuclear energy program, Raisi said, "Our peaceful nuclear capability is our right, and no one can obstruct Iran from preserving this right," adding that "the Zionist entity never wanted it [Iran] to obtain the technology, but it got it against their will."

He stressed that "all the Zionist entity's threats and measures will be helpless in stopping our path, and the entity is aware that it is unable to confront us; its threats reflect its fear," advising "Israel" not to launch any aggression because it "may no longer exist [as a result]."

He added that "the normalization of some regimes with the Zionist entity will not provide them with security, and it is a betrayal of the oppressed Palestinian people and their resistance." 

Read: Parasite in action: How 'Israel' exploits normalizing Arab states?

As for the armistice in Yemen, Raisi said, "We support any ceasefire that preserves the security of Yemen and the interests of its people and allows them to decide their fate."