Iran’s Pezeshkian Urges Unity Amid US Economic Pressure and Inflation

The currency drop follows Washington’s launch of an “Economic D-Day” targeting Tehran last month, marking the most severe sanctions regime in US history designed to sever economic lifelines sustaining the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC). According to President Pezeshkian, these measures are intended to spark internal division.

“Through war, blockade and sanctions, the enemies seek to create division, fissures and unrest inside the country,” Pezeshkian stated to officials.

Economic Pressures and Fuel Price Realities

Pezeshkian noted that the administration will double the price of one of three petrol quota tiers for private vehicles and reduce monthly allotments in the coming weeks. The adjustments address critical energy supply shortages driven by fuel smuggling, infrastructure neglect, and inefficient vehicles.

However, the president cautioned that broader petrol price hikes risk escalating logistics costs and fueling rampant inflation. Reminding officials of the 2019 and 2020 antigovernment uprisings sparked by high fuel prices, Pezeshkian warned during a televised appearance, “People are now on the edge; if I impose another pressure, they may fall off.”

Military Escalation and Regional Blockades

The ongoing economic decline remains closely tied to the military confrontation between Iran and the US. On Saturday, the US military bombed an oil tanker near Kharg Island, following recent strikes on southern Iran and shipping lanes in Hormuz.

Washington has also enforced a naval blockade preventing Iranian tankers from leaving southern shores to choke off crude exports. Despite these tensions, the Iranian government stated it would return to commitments under a short-lived June memorandum of understanding with Washington if the US does the same.

National Security and Domestic Crackdowns

Rising public discontent has prompted heightened security warnings from Iranian authorities. The IRGC intelligence directorate claimed in late August that the US, Israel, and Western allies are relying on “pressure from within” to provoke domestic protests.

Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf outlined four operational fields, stating, “The fourth battlefield is the street – the social field,” alongside military operations, diplomatic talks, and economic services. Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan also ordered continuous monitoring of livelihoods, unemployment, and petrol prices as potential pretexts for unrest.

In response to dissent, Mojtaba Khamenei declared in late August that actions harmful to social cohesion are prohibited. Authorities have intensified punishments, including the Supreme Court’s confirmation on Thursday of a 12.5-year prison sentence and asset confiscation for prominent businessman Sadegh Saedinia over social media posts supporting January protests.

Iranian authorities classify the January demonstrations as a coup orchestrated by the US, Israel, and their allies, noting that several individuals involved have faced execution.

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