Rouhani urges Iran’s factions to unite against US pressure

Amid growing economic pressure and the looming threat of an oil embargo imposed by the United States, President Hassan Rouhani has rejected calls to step down and insisted on unity against growing US pressure.

“If anyone thinks the administration will resign, they are mistaken,” Rouhani said during a speech June 27 at a meeting of administration officials. Rouhani stressed the need to work with parliament and other officials, saying, “We have to show the world that we can tolerate the difficulties and the problems and we will not trade away our independence, we will not trade away our freedom, we will not trade away our Islamic system, but we will tolerate the difficulties, standing alongside one another.”