Iranian President Pezeshkian Admits US Sanctions Are Harming Economy
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that US sanctions are inflicting damage on his country's economy, just days after asserting that the new sanctions would fail to achieve any results.
During an interview with state television on Friday evening, Pezeshkian stated, "Some say that sanctions have no effect at all; I really don't know what to say to those people."
He added, "We are in a state of war, and we must accept the conditions imposed by this war."
On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined plans for the "economic strangulation" of Iran, warning of severe consequences for countries that choose not to join the American campaign.
These new measures build upon a sanctions regime enforced by the United States and its allies since 2018, when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the international agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear program.
Trade Plummets by 25% to 35%
Pezeshkian revealed that Iran's exports and imports have dropped by 25% to 35% in recent months, amid an ongoing US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Consequently, he noted that domestic gasoline prices must rise to reflect this significant decline in trade activity.