Iran News-Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will defend its "independence and dignity" and "will not surrender even if it is bombed."
Speaking on May 23 among Iranian war veterans, Rouhani once again likened US sanctions to an "economic war" against Iran, and an "attack on the people's welfare."
However, he vowed to resist "even if Iran is bombed." Iranians on social media widely criticized him for the remark.
Iranian analyst Sadeq Zibakalam wrote in a tweet "I admire your spirit of resistance. But slogans aside, would you say what exactly Americans have asked for that we don't want to surrender to them?"
Political activist Mohammad Mozaffari wrote: "They are happy to see the bombing and destruction of the country, but they would not put a step back from their ideology for the sake of the people," adding that Rouhani's comment "smells of blood." He asked at the end, "Who is the warmonger?"
Ruhani's remarks coincide with the anniversary of liberation of Khorramshahr during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and are part of the ongoing war of words between Iranian and U.S. officials.
