Iranian president Hassan Rouhani told a group of politicians and activists on October 3 that Iran is confronting a “complicated situation” and conditions are “unusual and delicate”.

Saying that “today we are a sensitive juncture”, Rouhani added that Iran “is in the middle of a full-fledged economic war”.

His comments come as Iran is facing the implementation of additional U.S. sanctions on its oil exports in about a month.

Rouhani defended his administration by insisting that “Expectations from the government should be proportionate” with the unusual conditions the country faces. He added that Iran is facing a complicated situation.

“If this administration was not at the helm, perhaps Iran would have exited JCPOA even before the U.S. announcement [leaving the nuclear agreement] and today we would have faced even a more critical situation”, he said.

President Donald Trump announced last May that the U.S. is abandoning the nuclear deal with Iran, known as JCPOA, and reimposing a wide range of sanctions.

Since then, Iran’s currency has lost a lot of value, its oil exports have declined and many international companies have announced their disengagement from the country.

In his meeting with a group of “reformist” politicians Rouhani asked them to help preserve and promote hope among the people.

On many occasions, leaders of the Islamic Republic have claimed that the U.S. has fallen into a “weak” diplomatic position and Iran has proven its “righteous” position.