Ghafouri was responding to statements made by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a summit in Switzerland February 12. Referring to sanctions imposed by the United States, Zarif said that were “proud of defending the people of Palestine,” adding, “Today, we are all under pressure.”
Ghafouri was referring to an economic crisis, partially caused by the US sanctions, that has led to soaring food prices in recent months. According to the state-run Statistical Centre, food prices have increased between 20 percent and 250 percent in one year, depending on the product.

