Iranian President warns of "war situation" as US sanctions come into play – National

Iran on Monday hailed the re-imposition of US sanctions with air defense drills and a recognition of President Hbadan Rouhani, saying the nation was facing a "war situation", exacerbating tensions in the Middle East at the time where the American approach of the Islamic Republic adopts the maximalist position.

The sanctions put an end to all the economic benefits that America has granted to Tehran for its nuclear deal with the world powers in 2015, although Iran continues to respect the agreement that limited enrichment of uranium. While for the moment did not threaten to resume a greater enrichment, Iranian officials have held a threatening message in recent months, which could resume anytime sooner than before.

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The new US sanctions have particularly harmed the Iranian oil sector, an essential source of hard currency for its anemic economy. Its national currency has fallen over the past year, driving up prices, from cell phones to soaring drugs.

"Today, Iran is able to sell its oil and it will," promised Monday Rouhani at the entry into force of the sanctions.

Iranian television aired images of air defense systems and anti-aircraft batteries undergoing two-day military maneuvers underway in a large part of the north of the country. It was ground-to-air missiles firing at a drone.

The exercise was to continue until Tuesday. General Habibillah Sayyari of the Iranian army said the country's national army and paramilitary revolutionary guards were taking part in the exercise.

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Rouhani, at the same time, promised government officials in comments broadcast on state television that Iran would overcome the sanctions.

"We are in a war situation," Rouhani said. "We are in the economic war situation. We are facing an intimidating enemy. We have to stand up to win.

He further intensified the speech by comparing the situation of Iran in the 1980s war against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein with the current situation and the decision of US President Donald Trump to restore sanctions imposed on the United States.

"Yesterday, Saddam was before us, today, Trump is before us. There is no difference. We must resist and win, "he said.

Iran is already plagued by an economic crisis. Its national currency, the rial, is now trading between 145,000 and 1 US dollar, down from the level of $ 40,500 to $ 1 a year earlier. Economic chaos triggered mbad protests against the government late last year. Nearly 5,000 arrests have been reported and at least 25 people have been killed. Sporadic manifestations still continue.

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Rouhani said separately that the leaders of "four powers" had met with Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September to try to save the deal, including by organizing a possible meeting with Trump. He did not name these countries, but probably referred to China, France, Russia, and Britain, which, along with Germany, constituted the world powers involved in 39, 2015 agreement on nuclear power.

"This question does not require a mediator," said Rouhani, accusing America of unilaterally withdrawing from the deal.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi also predicted the sanctions would be against America's interests.

"Many countries in Europe, from Russia to China have opposed the sanctions," Ghasemi told reporters, adding that the Iranians "have been subject to heavier sanctions" and that they "do not constitute a new problem".

The United States baderts that the sanctions are not aimed at overthrowing the government, but at persuading it to radically change its policies, including supporting regional militant groups and developing long-range ballistic missiles.

However, Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, and President John Bolton's national security advisor, both publicly declared their support for the overthrow of the Iranian theocratic government.

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Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday praised US sanctions, saying they would "critically strike" Iran's military presence around the Middle East.

The Trump government's decision to reinstate the sanctions "is the radical change that the Middle East has been waiting for," he said.

Israel is a fierce opponent of the 2015 nuclear deal, to which the United States withdrew in May, saying the deal failed to contain Iran's regional military threat.