President says plummeting value of rial is fault of enemies abroad and at home, not his government’s economic policies

Iran’s beleaguered president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has blamed the plummeting value of the national currency on a “psychological war” perpetrated by enemies abroad and opponents at home.

Speaking as the rial hit an all-time low against the dollar, Ahmadinejad told reporters that the slump was the result of the “temporary problem” of the international embargo on importing Iranian oil. He said sanctions would only pressure the “people of Iran and not its government” and would not force Tehran to change its nuclear policy.

“It’s a battle,” he told reporters in Tehran. “Enemies have managed to reduce our oil sales but hopefully we will compensate for this.” He rejected suggestions that the crisis was the result of his government’s economic incompetence.

“Are these currency fluctuations because of economic problems? The answer is no,” Ah said. “Is this because of government policies? Never