Iranian Leader Calls On Officials To Unite

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during a public meeting in the northeastern city of Bojnourd on October 10.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Iran's officials to refrain from making accusations against each other, urging them to restore unity to defeat international sanctions.

In a televised speech in the northeastern city of Bojnourd, Khamenei said Iranian officials "should know and accept their responsibilities and not blame each other."

He admitted sanctions imposed over Iran's nuclear program had caused problems, but vowed that the Islamic republic would overcome the difficulties.

His comments touched on divisions between Iranian government agencies and political factions exacerbated by the Iranian currency's fall over the past several weeks.

The rial's plunge reflected a decline in Iran's oil income caused by tightened sanctions.

Tehran's Grand Bazaar was closed for several days earlier this month amid clashes over the collapse of the rial.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters