Iran's supreme leader urges next president to revive economy

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that the next Iranian president should focus on the country's economy which is targeted by the West. Khamenei's remarks came as some presidential candidates in their campaign put "improving of the relations" with the world, including Western countries, as a prerequisite to solve Iran's nuclear issue and economic problems. The candidates "should pledge to deal with the subject of economy which is at the top of Western hostility with Iran," said Khamenei addressing a large crowd of people and local authorities who gathered to commemorate the death anniversary of founder of the Islamic republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. On Monday, the U.S. administration expanded sanctions against Iran to target the Islamic republic's currency for the first time as well as its auto industry. "Some (of the candidates) said ... that we (should) make concessions to the enemies to appease them; but we should know that they are worried about... a powerful and resistant Islamic republic," said the Iranian leader, adding that Iran's "dignity and power" is attainable through resistance to mounting Western pressure over the country's controversial nuclear program.