Rouhani: Look at the Situation in Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and ‘Give Thanks’

Iran’s president on Wednesday, September 28, criticized the media and called for comparing Iran’s situation with countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, saying that the country should ‘give thanks’ for managing Iran ‘without worry’.

“In the past year and several months, what tremendous problems have they faced. In Venezuela, inflation has reached 485 percent within a year and several months, and the price of goods has increased five-fold. Saudi Arabia recently cut the salaries of all government employees due to economic conditions and the decline in oil prices. Additionally, Saudi Arabia had a budget deficit of 100 billion dollars last year and used its past reserves to run the country.”

Rouhani then criticized why the country’s elites, writers, radio and television, and newspapers do not tell people the ‘reality of Iran’.

He also said, “Under very difficult conditions in the past year when oil prices fell from 120 dollars to 40 dollars, the country was managed without worry. Why don’t you give thanks?”

According to Hassan Rouhani, over the past year both inflation has decreased and economic growth has existed.

The Iranian president’s remarks come as his government has faced severe criticism from opponents in recent months who question his promises about improving economic conditions following the nuclear deal.

On the other hand, highlighting part of this speech on Hassan Rouhani’s Twitter and calling for ‘Iran’s reality’ to be told was met with widespread reaction from users. Many have criticized Rouhani, saying that previously many people were arrested and imprisoned for telling the truth, and the Rouhani government did not take any action to defend their rights.

Source: Voice of America