Jin10 data reported on May 15 that, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran, Araqchi answered reporters’ questions during a government meeting held in the capital Tehran, stating that for the past 40 years, it has been the United States that has hindered Iran’s development through sanctions, pressure, military and non-military threats. The U.S. and its hegemonic policies are the root cause of Iran’s economic difficulties. The U.S. seeks to impose a non-independent and submissive regime, which “contradicts the dignity of the Iranian people.” Regarding U.S. President Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy, Araqchi said that the U.S. “ignores all of Israel’s crimes in the region and tries to portray Iran as a threat,” which is pure “deception and shifting of threats.”