In his second speech in two days, the Supreme Leader has insisted that Iran’s economy has a “desirable record” despite difficulties that have spurred his call for a “Year of Domestic Production”.

Ayatollah Khamenei marked Iranian New Year with an address to a crowd in the second city of Mashhad after his video Nowruz message on Tuesday.

He said that stories of economic problems were enemy propaganda “trying to make people disappointed in the establishment” and that educated young Iranians provide a “huge capacity” for the country.

But he then tipped off the concern that led to his call for Iranians to buy domestic products, hoping to mitigate the effects of US sanctions and problems with mismanagement, unemployment, and a weak currency:

Iran’s economy must focus on domestic production. We should not depend on help from outside but work inside the country. We need to fight the pockets of corrupt people in the country fiercely….We need to put an end to the dependence of the country’s economy on oil. We should be zealous in supporting our domestic products and national economy.

Khamenei also demanded that Iranian officials monitor and contain imports to spur domestic producers.

The Iranian economy has struggled for recovery after implementation in January 2016 of the nuclear deal with the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia).

“Most Independent Nation”

Khamenei made a series of claims of the Islamic Republic’s superiority, including the assertion that it is world’s “most independent nation”.

Without referring to issues such as political prisoners, restrictions on communications, and protests over political and social issues, Khamenei declared all Iranians enjoy freedom within the framework of the country’s constitution: “No Iranian faces pressure or strain because of having different opinions about the establishment. Iranian youths feel confident and independent nowadays. There is still work to be done regarding justice in Iran.”

The Supreme Leader said the Islamic Republic is far better off than many other countries in education and healthcare, with a reduction of the gap between rich and poor.

“US Created ISIS”

Khamenei also repeated his ritual denunciation of the US, including his line that “the United States created terrorist groups like Daesh [the Islamic State] in the region in a bid to distract public attention from the Zionist regime”.

He said the US and allies have failed to establish security and stability in the Middle East and Afghanistan. And, sweeping away Tehran’s economic and military involvements in countries from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, maintained, “Iran has never sought to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries.”

He concluded, in defiance of the political and economic situation:

The Islamic Revolution is moving forward strongly and vigorously while it has maintained its slogans and fundamental principles. The Revolution’s 40th year is the age of maturity and vitality, not senility and decline.”