© Iranian Parliament Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency/AFP/KJNSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian Parliament
"It is not that the sanctions do not play a role; but a major part of the situation is the result of [government's own] actions," Khamenei said, according to Irna, as he was addressing thousands of Iranians in Tehran on Monday.
The supreme leader added that if Tehran acted "better and stronger" itself US sanctions would have not been so harmful.
The US reinstated certain economic sanctions against Iran last week, with President Trump promising more to come in November.
The restrictive measures had been lifted under the historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but Washington unilaterally withdrew from the landmark deal despite international condemnation, including from its EU allies. The 2015 agreement placed tight controls on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Iran's commitment has been confirmed by the IAEA since then.
Tehran has repeatedly blasted the US for the move, vowing to restart its nuclear program in retaliation against any foreign restrictions. While the US has been pressing its allies to completely refuse Iranian oil imports, the Islamic Republic has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, effectively blocking all the oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, should they accede to American demands.
The row between the US and Iran escalated last month, when their respective leadership exchanged a barrage of threats. Back then, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that a conflict with Iran would be "mother of all wars," provoking Trump's harsh response when he promised "consequences the likes of which few have ever suffered before."
Comment: The 'Hindsight Perspective' always works in the moment as a fallback excuse. The 'Foresight Perspective', however, would not only be much more useful, it would negate any need for the former.