Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during the Cabinet meeting in Tehran, Iran, July 31, 2019. Official President website/Handout via REUTERS

DUBAI (Reuters) - President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday Iranian officials were ready for the worst as they tried to salvage their nuclear deal with world powers, but he was sure they would eventually prevail.

“We have a hard battle ahead, but we shall surely win,” Rouhani said on live television.

Iran faces an uphill battle as U.S. sanctions reimposed after Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord take a toll on the economy.