Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the "easy" income from crude oil exports is a "longstanding problem" in the Iranian economy that has hindered the country's progress. During a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and members of his cabinet, Khamenei called for an economy independent of crude exports and encouraged a closer focus on domestic productivity.
Iran's lifeline oil sector has been significantly strained due to the US "maximum pressure" policy that has a stated goal of driving Tehran's oil exports to zero. In so doing, the government of President Donald Trump has refused to extend sanctions waivers granted to Iran's major oil buyers including China, India and Turkey.