Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United States is addicted to sanctions, but the Iranians can pass through the current "critical" stage with national unity.
A review of "the history of US foreign relations shows that this country has imposed the most sanctions on the majority of countries," Zarif said at Iran Chamber of Commerce here in Tehran on Sunday.
The minister was addressing the first joint conference of representatives of the private sector and Iranian ambassadors as well as heads of Iran’s diplomatic missions abroad.
"God willing, we can improve the situation day by day as the world stands with us and we should use this opportunity. Today, all branches of the government are united to pass through this critical stage," he added.
Zarif said, "We can turn pressures into an increase in national production and non-oil exports and show the Americans that they should abandon" this approach.
"We believe the world has come to the conclusion that the United States needs to quit its addiction to sanctions."
President Donald Trump has stepped up his hostile rhetoric against Iran. Just last week, he threatened the country last week with what "few throughout history have suffered before."
Zarif said, "The US president and his predecessors have sanctioned us for some 40 years, but with God's grace and the Iranian people's efforts, we have made progress, achieved dignity day by day and endured difficulties."
"We need to believe that we can pass through this stage as well and show the world that the Iranian people are bigger than those who sanction them," he added.
Zarif said in the face of the US "bullying," the Europeans and economic activists should decide whether they want to preserve European interests or Trump's interests.