Oil minister Namdar Zangeneh made an emotional speech at a gathering in Tehran on October 31, and harshly criticized the anti-US campaign that according to him, undermines governments ability to resolve the sanctions issue and improve people’s miserable conditions.

The anti-US campaign is carried out by conservative circles that are under the Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei’s direct control. He has personally made several speeches in the past two months to denounce the US for being dishonest and untrustworthy.

Zangeneh’s speech was reported on November 3, by Fararoo, a Website affiliated with moderate conservatives. Oil minister told the audience:

“They (hard-liners) repeat that the US is not honest. What does it really mean in international negotiations? Nothing, because the negotiations are motivated by interests and not honesty or good-will. Winston Churchill befriended the Soviet Union because the Great Britain needed to fight Nazism. Our friendships or relation with others are also dictated by our national interests and not by the honesty or other part’s good-will.

During the past several years we have continuously declined because of these kinds of slogans. Why should our people become poorer every day? Our nation’s entire development has come to a halt and they continue to shout these slogans.

Few days ago, President Rouhani recounted something that made me deeply sad. He told that recently, one of our former ministers had to go to United Arab Emirates and borrow some money. Rouhani told me that he cried for this situation that we need borrow little money from a Sheikh to solve our daily affairs.

I am frank and tell you that Iran’s current situation in regard to selling oil and getting its money is much worst that the very harsh time we experienced during the war with Iraq. We should tell our nation about these problems and prepare the people for the dangers. And still, some continue to scream slogans.”

Hassan Dai (Daioleslam) is a human rights activist, political analyst and editor of the Iranian American Forum. He is well-published in Farsi and English and frequently appears as an expert guest on the Voice of America and major Persian language media.