Aref: West failed in war and sanctions—snapback will meet same fate
Tehran - BORNA - Speaking at the Supreme Economic Council, Aref pointed to ongoing efforts by Germany, the UK, and France to trigger the snapback mechanism. He said the Iranian nation and government have repeatedly shown strength against what he described as the West’s “unjust sanctions.” “We are not seeking the return of sanctions, but we hope Europe will show wisdom and learn from its past failures against our people,” he stated.
Aref recalled that Germany was a main supplier of weapons to Saddam Hussein during the eight-year war, while Britain and France also armed Iran’s enemy, yet all three failed to achieve any strategic victory. He underlined that the Iranian system, government, and people are fully prepared to respond to any hostile measures, and stressed that the 14th government had, from its first days, drafted plans to deal with exceptional scenarios.
“Our basis is to manage the country under normal conditions, but alongside that we have prepared specific economic packages and governance mechanisms for extraordinary circumstances, as seen during the 12-day war,” he noted. “We are not warmongers, but even the smallest hostile act will be met with a firm and decisive response.”
The vice president also accused Western media of mobilizing to undermine Iran’s national unity, describing cohesion as the key to every achievement. He urged officials to avoid unnecessary disputes that could weaken national solidarity and instead focus on easing economic hardships for the people.
Aref highlighted that Iran’s strategic reserves of essential goods remain strong, with supplies secured well into the next year. He added that while sanctions have had an effect, they failed to force Iran into “humiliating negotiations” or surrender. “Which Security Council sanction could be harsher than the unilateral U.S. measures? Yet we have stood firm and will continue on this path,” he said.
He also praised the work of the Supreme Council for the Seventh Development Plan, calling it a successful example of inter-agency coordination, while underlining the need for supervision, necessary amendments, and clear funding sources. On the upcoming 1405 (2026–27) budget bill, he stressed prioritizing livelihoods, structural reforms, reducing redundancies, empowering the private sector, boosting technology, and enhancing efficiency.
Marking Sacred Defense Week, the new school year, and the world championship of Iran’s wrestling team, Aref praised the athletes for demonstrating moral values alongside athletic success, urging support for wrestling and traditional sports as symbols of Iran’s national identity.
The session further discussed measures to improve the business environment in the electricity sector, expand electricity trading on the energy exchange, and approved the development of the Paznan and Gordan oil fields, pending Cabinet approval.
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