Iran's Supreme Leader Calls For Backing Government As US Sanctions Loom

Iran's supreme leader on Sunday called on state bodies to support the government of President Hassan Rouhani in fighting looming US economic sanctions, saying America's "conspiracy" could be defeated, according to his official website.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used a speech to members of Rouhani's cabinet to call for support for the government and action against alleged financial crime to ease popular concerns fuelled by US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from world powers' 2015 deal with Iran on its nuclear programme.

The likely return of US economic sanctions has triggered a rapid fall of Iran's currency and protests by bazaar traders usually loyal to the Islamist rulers, and a public outcry over alleged price gouging and profiteering.

Khamenei said "the government's economic team is the axis of all activity in the country, calling all the bodies to coordinate with it," the website reported. "(He) advised state radio and TV to reflect a correct image of government activities."

Hardline conservatives close to Khamenei control powerful bodies including state media which has often criticised the government of Rouhani, a pragmatist who has long sought more open economic relations with the outside world.

"I strongly believe that if the government takes the necessary measures, it will be able to overcome problems and defeat the US conspiracy," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with Rouhani and his cabinet, according to his website.

Khamenei called for strengthening the private sector while taking "decisive action" against economic crime such as money-laundering and smuggling of goods, blamed on those profiteering from the economic crisis in the country.

Separately, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said special prosecutors would swiftly deal with economic crime, including profiteering from foreign exchange and gold dealings, illegal imports of luxury cars and price gouging on imported goods such as mobile phones, state media said.

In late December, demonstrations which began over economic hardship spread to more than 80 Iranian cities and towns. At least 25 people died in the ensuing unrest, the biggest expression of public discontent in almost a decade.

Demonstrators initially vented their anger over high prices and alleged corruption, but the protests took on a rare political dimension, with a growing number of people calling on Supreme Leader Khamenei to step down.