Releasing a video from his office, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, admitting war time difficulties on the national economy on Thursday, told business leaders that the country was facing multiple domestic difficulties across sectors, attributing them to coordinated external efforts to destabilise the country.
“The reality is that all countries in the world face protests due to inflation, high prices, and economic pressures,” Pezeshkian said. “We are in a war situation, and we have been attacked heavily, so it is natural that we face some difficulties.”
“We must control excess consumption. We must ensure that electricity and gas for production are not cut off. Instead, we should reduce unnecessary consumption.
“If we use energy properly, we can supply industries without disruption,” he said, and urged business owners to “manage” their “own affairs,” and only ask the government for help where it is truly needed.
“And where we cannot, we will be honest with you. We want to help you, and you should also help us continue on this path,” he said, acknowledging that there have been various “shortcomings” on part of the Islamic Republic’s management, given the sheer scale of the economic pressure caused by the war.
Working on trying to advance its peace talks with the US, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking with his Pakistani counterpart via phone call said that the two sides discussed regional developments on Thursday, stressing diplomacy and regional cooperation to prevent further escalation.
