Rouhani: Look at the situation in Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and be "thankful for the blessing"
On Wednesday, October 28, the Iranian President criticized the media, calling for comparing Iran's situation with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, and said that Iran should be "grateful" for its "carefree" administration.
"What huge problems have they faced in the past year and a few months? In Venezuela, inflation has reached 485 percent, and the price of goods has increased fivefold in a year and a few months. Saudi Arabia has recently cut the salaries of all government employees due to economic conditions and the decline in oil prices. Saudi Arabia also had a budget deficit of $100 billion last year and used its past reserves to run the country."
Mr. Rouhani then criticized why the country's elders, writers, the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation, and newspapers are not telling the people the "reality of Iran."
He also said, "In the very difficult circumstances of the past year, when the price of oil fell from $120 to $40, the country was run carefree. Why don't you show gratitude?"
According to Hassan Rouhani, in the past year, there has been both a decrease in inflation and economic growth.
The Iranian president's remarks come as his government has been heavily criticized in recent months by opponents who question his promises to improve the economic situation after the nuclear deal.
On the other hand, highlighting a portion of this speech on Hassan Rouhani's Twitter and calling for the "truth of Iran" to be told has met with widespread backlash from users. Many have criticized Mr. Rouhani, saying that many people have already been arrested and imprisoned for telling the truth and that the Rouhani government has done nothing to defend their rights.
Source: Voice of America
