Rouhani blasts US sanctions, says won’t give up missile work
Tehran, Feb. 11: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday blasted a US “conspiracy” against the country and said that Iran is determined to expand its military power and ballistic missile program despite mounting pressure from hostile countries.
“We have not asked and will not ask for permission to develop different types of... missiles and will continue our path and our military power,” Mr Rouhani said in a speech at Tehran’s Azadi ( Freedom) square, where tens of thousands gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution.
Mr Rouhani also vowed Iran would defeat US sanctions, reimposed after President Donald Trump withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear accord with world powers last year. “The Iranian people have and will have some economic difficulties, but we will overcome the problems by helping each other,” Mr Rouhani said.
“The presence of people today on the streets all over Islamic Iran... Means that the enemy will never reach its evil objectives,” Mr Rouhani said. Chadorclad women, militia members in camouflage
We have not asked and will not ask for permission to develop different types of... missiles and will continue our path and our military power
— Hassan Rouhani, Iran President
■ Continued from Page 1 fatigues and ordinary citizens marched through the capital in freezing rain to mark the day in February 1979 that Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ended millenia of royal rule.
Life- size replicas of Iranian- made cruise and ballistic missiles lined the route in a statement of defiance.
A pre- prepared resolution was read out that proclaimed “unquestioning obedience to the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei” and called US President Donald Trump an “idiot”. — Agencies
The event Monday was the culmination of official celebrations called the “10 Day Dawn” that mark the period between February 1, 1979 and February 11 when Shiite cleric Khomeini retuned from exile and ousted the shah’s last government.
The state has played up this year’s anniversary as 40 is symbolic of maturity in the Islamic tradition and the age at which Prophet Mohammed received revelations from God. But despite the official festivities today’s Islamic republic faces acute economic challenges as it struggles with a mix of domestic hardships and US sanctions.