Iran President Pezeshkian admits country faces many problems amid US sanctions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that his nation is grappling with many problems as Washington prepares a fresh wave of economic measures, according to reporting by multiple outlets. Speaking on Sunday in a broadcast on state television, Mr Pezeshkian stated that the Islamic Republic is locked in a full-scale economic, military and security war instigated by US President Donald Trump.

The remarks arrive nearly six months after the onset of the conflict, which began with US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28. Al Jazeera reported that the Iranian president admitted the government is ashamed of the significant economic difficulties facing citizens, noting that officials are striving to overcome inflation, unemployment, and livelihood pressures. Since the war began, 3,636 people have reportedly died in Iran, with 2,100 estimated to be civilian deaths, according to figures from the reporting.

Media additions

Ahead of a planned Monday media conference where US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to unveil detailed economic measures, Tehran has strongly condemned the pressure campaign. According to USAToday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei decried the imminent restrictions as an assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over UN member states that lacks any foundation in international law. US President Donald Trump has vowed to hit Iran hard economically, while Bessent previously stated that Washington would impose measures on Tehran that have never been seen.

Tensions have similarly rippled through regional diplomacy. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned neighbouring governments against participating in Washington's economic pressure campaign. We are telling all surrounding countries not to participate in the economic war with America; otherwise, we will consider them an enemy, Rezaei stated in an interview with IRIB reported by Livemint. Rezaei also accused Mr Trump of creating nuclear insecurity rather than stability, asserting that military aggression against Tehran has heightened international interest in acquiring atomic weapons.

Domestically, the Iranian government confronts ongoing societal strain following prior waves of unrest. Economic hardships, inflation, and currency fluctuations have severely diminished purchasing power, triggering demonstrations that officials previously asserted left over 3,000 dead while accusing foreign actors of orchestration. Concurrently, security forces continue enforcing strict measures, including the recent execution of a man accused of carrying a chainsaw during January anti-government protests and acting as an agent of Israel and the United States.

Oil shipments remain at a virtual standstill across the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran threatening unauthorized tankers while selectively permitting passage to specific Iraqi vessels following requests from Baghdad. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that the American military helped move an average of 8 million barrels of oil daily through the vital corridor, down sharply from more than 20 million barrels daily prior to the war.

Amid these escalations, international alignment remains complex. Beijing continues to urge diplomacy, even as Washington presses China—which buys a substantial share of Iran's shipped oil—to cooperate with the blockade. Meanwhile, regional mediation efforts continue, with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir scheduled to visit Tehran to discuss regional peace and security.

What to watch next

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to detail the new economic measures at a press conference on Monday.
• Pakistani military leadership visits Tehran to facilitate ongoing diplomatic channels between regional powers and Washington.
• Developments regarding the enforcement of secondary sanctions on international trading partners, including China.