Iranian Minister Underscores Halt to Imports of Consumer Goods from US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh underlined that the ministry’s strategy is to promote domestic production and prevent imports of consumer goods from other countries, the US in particular.
In a meeting with Ayatollah Gholam Ali Safayee Bushehri in the southern province of Bushehr, Nematzadeh pointed to recent remarks by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the necessity to stop imports of consumer goods from the United States, saying the strategies of the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade are based on the guidelines of the leader.
He further stressed the need for utilizing the domestic production capacity, saying, “The culture of using foreign goods, which has been institutionalized in the country, should be put right.”
If that is achieved, Nematzadeh said, capacity will be provided to create employment and income for the youth.
While many consider the JCPOA – the finalized text of the agreement- a major breakthrough in the improvement of ties between Iran and the West, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has made it clear that Tehran’s policy towards the US will remain unchanged regardless of the ultimate fate of the JCPOA.
In a speech in August, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that Iran acts “decisively” to block Washington’s abuse of the outcomes of the nuclear talks, noting, “With all our strong capabilities, we will not allow Americans’ economic, political or cultural infiltration or political presence in Iran.”
Later, in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani on October 21, the Leader highlighted a number of major points that the administration will need to take note of regarding the course of implementing the JCPOA. In that letter, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that care should be taken so that the lifting of the anti-Iran sanctions would not lead to wasteful imports from other countries, especially the US.
