Iran Under Pressure from Sanctions and War as Pezeshkian Acknowledges Difficulties
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that Iranian society is facing “several difficulties” as the United States prepares to tighten its sanctions on Tehran.
His remarks came as Iran announced that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, would visit Tehran on Monday to discuss peace efforts and developments related to the war and U.S. sanctions.
In a speech broadcast on state television, Pezeshkian said that Iranian authorities were “doing everything possible to prevent the situation from worsening,” adding: “We are facing a comprehensive war on the economic, military and security fronts.”
Inflation, unemployment and cost-of-living pressures
The Iranian president said his country was facing significant economic pressures, including inflation, cost-of-living difficulties and unemployment, stressing that his government was working to overcome these challenges.
“We are striving to overcome inflation, livelihood problems and unemployment, and to secure the future of the people so that they can live with dignity and honor,” he said.
His remarks came after the United States threatened to intensify its economic sanctions against Iran, a move Washington said was intended to increase pressure on the Iranian regime.
Tehran braces for new U.S. sanctions
Iranian sources said that the Pakistani army chief’s visit to Tehran would coincide with the announcement of details regarding new U.S. sanctions planned against Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Tehran, warning that the economy of any country providing “any form of assistance to Iran” could also face consequences, as part of Washington’s efforts to further isolate the Islamic Republic.
Tehran is already facing considerable economic pressure as a result of sanctions, alongside tensions and threats affecting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s army chief in Tehran
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, would visit Tehran on Monday as part of efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the region.
Two Pakistani government sources confirmed the visit, saying that Iran and Pakistan were maintaining direct contacts.
According to one of the sources, the talks will address the issue of peace within the framework of the memorandum of understanding mediated by Islamabad, as well as Trump’s threats, the latest developments in the conflict, and the situation resulting from the agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, in addition to the Houthi issue.
Pakistani mediation between Washington and Tehran
Pakistan is playing a mediating role in negotiations between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February.
Munir’s visit comes amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, alongside U.S. threats of new sanctions and the possibility of an Iranian response.
Protests and an economic crisis
The economic pressure has coincided with protests that have taken place across Iran in recent years, largely driven by worsening economic conditions, inflation and declining purchasing power.
Protests that began in late December later developed into widespread demonstrations against Iran’s leadership. Authorities announced that more than 3,000 people had been killed and attributed the violence to what they described as “terrorist acts,” accusing the United States and Israel of being behind them.
By contrast, non-governmental organizations operating from outside Iran have reported that thousands of people were killed as a result of the authorities’ crackdown on the protests.
