Jalili Rejects Western Ties and Nuclear Deal

Hardliner candidate Saeed Jalili said he prioritizes foreign currency earnings and employment, rejecting the influence of Western relations and nuclear deal.

Jalili said the Islamic Republic must have seen the conflict between Russia and the European Union as an opportunity to seize.

"Russia used to import $11 billion worth of vegetables from Europe; after the conflict, this opportunity arose for Iran to send them vegetables," he said.

"From Latin America to Africa, our neighbors, and countries in the Resistance Front that can create opportunities for us should not be overlooked," Jalili said.

He said Iran must "have the most economic relations with our neighbors; it should not be that others have more relations with them than we do."