Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref says the United States and the Israeli regime failed in their strategy to weaken Iran’s core industries through bombing key petrochemical and steel plants during a 39-day military aggression against the country that began in late February.

Speaking to senior executives of Iranian heavy industries on Saturday, Aref said that US-Israeli attacks on steel and petrochemical plants in the final days of the aggression were clearly meant to create unemployment in Iran and sow discord in the country.

He said, however, that Iran is racing against time to rebuild the manufacturing infrastructure damaged during the aggression.

“The process of reconstruction and modernization is proceeding at a pace faster than anticipated, and the government will also use all its capabilities to support this process,” said the vice president.

Steel and petrochemical manufacturing account for a major part of Iran’s non-oil economic activity. The country also relies on these sectors for considerable employment among its youth.

The US and Israel carried out attacks on Mobarakeh Steel, the largest steel mill in Iran and West Asia, and Khuzestan Steel, damaging manufacturing and utility components of the plants.

Attacks were also carried out on utility units of Iranian petrochemical plants in Assaluyeh, on the Persian Gulf coast, with a clear aim to disrupt Iran’s exports and hard currency revenue flow.

During his Saturday meeting with steel and petrochemical CEOs, Aref said the US-Israeli strike on Mobarakeh Steel was a pointed and targeted attack that sought to undermine an industrial unit that plays a huge role in the country’s economy.

The second-in-command in the Iranian administration also ordered quick planning and execution of projects to rebuild the units of the steel company damaged in the US-Israeli aggression.

Press TV’s website