Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to fight crippling US sanctions on the country while defending his cabinet’s performance after he was summoned by the Iranian parliament for the first time to explain the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Mr Rouhani, a relative moderate and pragmatist, is under pressure to reshuffle his government amid soaring prices and rising unemployment that sparked a wave of unrest in the country.

He was ordered by the legislative body to attend Tuesday’s session to answer questions. However, MPs were unconvinced with his answers and have referred the case to the judiciary, according to local news agencies.

The country’s economic woes worsened after US President Donald Trump ordered in May that sanctions be reimposed when he pulled out of a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and other western powers.

This month, Washington’s new measures have impacted Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals, its purchases of US dollars and its car industry. It will only get worse in November when fresh sanctions are expected to target Iranian oil sales.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Rouhani promised his government would defeat any “US plot” against the Islamic Republic.

He attempted to deflect blame, saying a sweep of anti-government protests which started in December “tempted” Mr Trump to ditch the nuclear deal, exacerbating the crisis.

“I want to assure the Iranian nation that we will not allow the US plot against the Islamic Republic to succeed,” he said in a televised speech during the session.

“We will not let this bunch of anti-Iranians in the White House be able to plot against us. We are not afraid of America or the economic problems. We will overcome the troubles,” he added.

While admitting that the country’s economic woes were critical, he blamed anti-government rallies for encouraging the US measures. He urged MPs to support his cabinet and not add to anti-government sentiment.

“The protests tempted Trump to withdraw from the nuclear deal,” he said.

“Be aware that sabotage creates destruction. Be aware that painting a bleak picture of people’s lives will lead to further darkness.”

Mr Rouhani’s administration has faced mounting pressure to fix Iran’s economy, which has been dogged by high unemployment and the collapse of the country’s currency, the rial, which has lost half of its value since April.

However, the president’s speech on Tuesday did little to assuage fears.

MPs did not find his answers satisfying and they voted to refer the matter to the judiciary, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported. Mr Rouhani was apparently quizzed on five issues, including failing to curb smuggling, the continuation of sanctions on Iran’s banks, the worsening unemployment rate, and the economic recession.

President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time Show all 12 1 /12 President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Iranian Parliament in the capital Tehran AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power EPA President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Hassan Rouhani arrives at the Iranian Parliament in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time MPs demanded answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Iranian Parliament in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time Members of the Iranian Parliament gesture as President Hassan Rouhani (not pictured) speaks in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Iranian Parliament in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time A member of the Iranian Parliament gestures as President Hassan Rouhani (not pictured) speaks in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty Images President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time Members of the Iranian Parliament gesture as President Hassan Rouhani (not pictured) speaks in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Iranian Parliament in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time A member of the Iranian Parliament gestures as President Hassan Rouhani (not pictured) speaks in the capital Tehran, on August 28, 2018. - It was the first time Rouhani had been summoned by parliament in his five years in power, with MPs demanding answers on unemployment, rising prices and the collapsing value of the rial, which has lost more than half its value since April. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images ATTA KENARE AFP/Getty Images President Rouhani summoned to Iran parliament for first time epa06977898 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) attends the Parliament session at the Iranian Parliament, in Tehran, Iran, 28 August 2018, to answer lawmakers about the recent local and foreign crisis currently affecting the country. Media reported that President Rouhani is under pressure because of the economic crises and demands for his resignation have increased. Rouhani defended his foreign and economic policy, but the parliament voted that they were not satisfied by the President's response. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA

The move came just a day after scuffles broke out in parliament when it voted to sack the country’s economic and finance minister Masoud Karbasian.

Supporters and opponents of the embattled minister fought as they debated his possible impeachment, according to the European Pressphoto Agency.

He was removed from office after a narrow parliamentary vote of 137 to 121.

Mr Karbasian’s departure follows the demise of Iran’s labour minister Ali Rabiei who was also relieved of his responsibilities earlier this month. Mr Rouhani had earlier removed the head of the central bank in July.

Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Show all 10 1 /10 Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Iranian lawmakers, some supporting and some other opposing the impeachment of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian, argue during an impeachment session at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister epa06973480 Iranian lawmakers, some supporting and some other opposing the impeachment of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian (unseen), argue during an impeachment session at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran, Iran, 26 August 2018. Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis. The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him AFP/Getty Images Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister epa06973484 Iranian lawmakers, some supporting and some other opposing the impeachment of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian (unseen), argue during an impeachment session at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran, Iran, 26 August 2018. Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis. The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Karbasian is the second minister in President Hassan Rouhani's cabinet to be impeached this month, following the removal of Labour Minister Ali Rabiei on August 8 EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister epa06973481 Iranian lawmakers, some supporting and some other opposing the impeachment of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian (unseen), argue during an impeachment session at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran, Iran, 26 August 2018. Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis. The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister Iranian MPs gesure while the Economy Minister speaks AFP/Getty Images Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister epa06973482 Iranian lawmakers, some supporting and some other opposing the impeachment of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian (unseen), argue during an impeachment session at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran, Iran, 26 August 2018. Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis. The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA Clashes break out after Iran parliament impeaches economy minister epa06973506 Iranian lawmakers react during an impeachment session of Iranian Economy and Finance Minister Masoud Karbasian (unseen) at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran, Iran, 26 August 2018. Media reported that parliament sacked Karbasian as Minister of Economy and Finance as Iran is facing an economic crisis. The parliament impeached Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian and on the day voted to sack him. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH EPA

Britain, Russia, China and France are trying to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal to which they are signatories. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, sanctions against Iran were lifted in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

But their companies now face the risk of US penalties if they continue to do business with Iran.