Economic Official: No New Options Left for US to Restrict Iran's ForeignTrade

Caretaker of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran Mohammad Reza Modoudi underlined that Washington has used all its cards in the anti-Iran game and is empty-handed to further pressure the country in foreign trade.

"The US made use of all sanctions measures against Iran's foreign trade in the last Iranian year (ended on March 20)," Modoudi told FNA on Friday.

He lauded Iran's performance in foreign trade despite the economic war launched by Washington against the country, and said the volume of Tehran's trade ties with a number of countries has set a record last year.

"We have set a record in foreign trade with some countries, including Iraq, and our exports to that country will surpass $9bln this year," Modoudi said, adding that Iran has decided to further focus on trade with the neighboring countries.

Iran is making utmost efforts to focus all its power on domestic production and export of non-oil goods to confront the US sanctions.

Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered all governmental bodies and organizations to help boost domestic production in both qualitative and quantitative terms.

President Rouhani in separate sessions in Tehran studied the performance of different ministries in the past Iranian year and their plans for the current year.

He lauded efforts made by the cabinet ministers in political, economic and cultural fields, stressing the need for all governmental bodies to double efforts to materialize the slogan of the new year designated by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution as the year of 'Pick-up in Production' by more production of higher quality and higher quantity goods.

On March 21, Ayatollah Khamenei offered greetings in a televised message to the nation on the occasion of the New Persian Year.

The leader hailed the nation's "fortitude and prudence" against the enemies’ conspiracies.

Ayatollah Khamenei designated the new Iranian calendar year of 1398 as the year of "Pick-up in Production”.

He lauded the Iranian nation for showing strong reaction to the severe and unprecedented sanctions imposed by the US and abided by Europe.