Iran's president urges unity among Iranians to overcome problems

TEHRAN -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday urged unity among the Iranians to overcome the existing economic problems in the country.

"Today, we experience one of the arduous and difficult days due to the enemies and foreigners' plots," Rouhani said in the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic republic in the south of capital Tehran.

"We should all help each other. It would be an unforgivable sin if the government is left alone" in the face of difficulties, he said with reference to the existing and impending US sanction pressures on the country's economy.

"With no doubt, we are able to tackle the problems thanks to our solidarity and unity," he was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

Washington left the Iranian international 2015 nuclear deal in May and vowed to reimpose sanctions on Iran, which had been relieved under the deal.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reimpose sanctions on Iran's financial transactions that involve US dollars, Iran's automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold.

The second batch of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank will be reimposed in early November. Trump has warned that those who do not wind down their economic ties with Iran would "risk severe consequences."