The Iranian government came on Sunday under heavy criticism after President Hassan Rouhani urged the people to curse the White House over Iran’s recent financial woes. Iranian activist and prominent journalist Abbas Abdi reiterated that Rouhani should step down to end the political deadlock locally and in its relations with the UN. In a commentary in the September 27 edition of the reformist daily Etemad in Tehran, Abdi referred to Rouhani’s televised remarks, in which the President said, “We haven’t seen such an extent of savagery ... The address for Iranian people’s curses and hatred is the White House.” Abdi suggested that Rouhani should resign not in protest, but to open the way for others to solve the problem. Ten months ago, Abdi voiced a similar request. The reformist movement is trying to distance itself from Rouhani’s government mainly after protests erupted across the country in November over the rising price of gasoline. The Iranian journalist wrote that the people couldnt care less about the differences between hardliners in the parliament and Rouhani, but they are suffering because of the dispute. "No problem has been solved in the past ten months, and new problems have emerged. It is not wise to go on like this,” Abdi said. Abdi said the US presidential election and the characteristics of those who hold political power in Iran are key elements in solving the deadlock between Tehran and Washington. The writer expected the two countries to return to the negotiation table sooner or later. Also commenting on Rouhani’s statements, the reformist Vatan-e Emrooz newspaper published an article entitled, “A Curse On Washington D.C., But You Are Guilty.”