By Staff, Agencies Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei blamed the disruption in people’s access to coronavirus vaccines on breach of promises by foreign vaccine sellers, reiterating his call for self-reliance in vaccine production.  In his remarks after receiving the second dose of the indigenously-produced COVIran Baraket vaccine in Tehran Friday, Imam Khamenei urged officials to focus on domestic production of Covid-19 vaccines and to ensure smooth vaccine roll-out.

“This issue [of disruption in access to vaccines] once again reminded the people and officials that relying on others causes problems, so we must be able to stand on our own feet in all matters,” His Eminence asserted.

Imam Khamenei touched on many mutations of the virus and their cataclysmic dangers, urging the people to comply with all necessary heath protocols, as recommended by health authorities.

The full compliance with health guidelines will eradicate the disease or contain it from spreading, His Eminence added.

Imam Khamenei, who received his first jab of the vaccine developed by Iran’s Shifa Pharmed Industrial Group on June 25, lauded the efforts of healthcare workers, especially the scientists and researchers involved in the production of local vaccines.

He called on the government agencies to “seriously support” the production of domestic vaccines so that the delay in administering vaccines to people of all age-groups can be reduced.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Imam Khamenei cautioned people against playing into the hands of trouble-makers, saying the enemy seeks to use everything against the revolution, the country and the people.

Imam Khamenei termed the grievances of people in the southwestern province of Khuzestan as legitimate, saying the complaints should have been addressed before to prevent people from being upset over the situation.

The province has been rocked by protests in recent weeks over water shortage.

The protests, however, have been hijacked by enemy forces, resulting in some incidents of violence.

Imam Khamenei said the problems of water scarcity facing the people in Khuzestan are “not a small issue”, especially in the scorching summer heat.

His Eminence also hailed the people of the border province as “loyal and selfless” and said they remained on the “forefront” during the eight years of war imposed on Iran by Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein.

He said the governmental and non-governmental organizations have started work to address the issues in Khuzestan while urging the authorities to seriously follow the demands of the people