In a stark message, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian stated on Thursday that the Islamic Republic is currently experiencing unprecedented pressure and difficulties, attributed to the ongoing conflict with the United States, unlike any period since its establishment in 1979.
Speaking at an event focused on planning and development for East Azerbaijan Province, Pezeshkian mentioned, “In the 48 years since the Revolution, the country has not encountered such intense pressure and difficulties.” He highlighted the early moments of the war initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, which resulted in the deaths of leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking Iranian officials, alongside significant bombardments on factories, power plants, and critical infrastructure.
The president emphasized that the adversary mistakenly believed that with their attacks, everything would collapse on its own. However, he noted, “Despite the challenges, we have managed to remain resilient so far.” Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of attempting to isolate Iran through maritime and aerial encirclement, aiming to exacerbate hardships for the population. He urged citizens to make efforts to endure these difficulties, suggesting measures such as better home insulation to reduce energy consumption, allowing more resources to be allocated to industry.
“If factories and the productive sector are active, there will be jobs and production, and the industry will stand firm,” he assured.
Iran is grappling with severe economic challenges, reporting a 10% GDP contraction in the first quarter of the Persian year (March to May 2026), with sectors like crude oil and natural gas extraction experiencing a 26.4% decline. Annual inflation stands at 89%, while the rial continues to hit new historic lows against the dollar nearly every week.
In response to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. has imposed restrictions on Iranian ports and vessels, significantly hampering trade and virtually bringing Iranian oil exports to a standstill. Furthermore, Washington has initiated the “Economic Pariah” operation against the Islamic Republic, intensifying financial isolation for Tehran, which includes sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines, leading Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, and Oman to suspend operations of Iranian airlines.
