Iran President Pezeshkian calls for unity as US ramps up economic pressure

What the report says

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Iranians to stay united as the United States intensifies economic pressure on Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. In remarks reported on Friday and earlier this week, he said the country’s cohesion could help offset efforts to stir internal divisions. The comments came after Washington announced a new sanctions package it described as targeting the financial lifelines of the Iranian state and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Al Jazeera reported that Pezeshkian signaled no abrupt policy reversal in response to the pressure, but he did confirm a limited fuel-price adjustment: the government plans to raise the price of one petrol quota tier for private vehicles and reduce monthly allowances. The report said Iranian officials have linked such measures to wider economic strain, including inflation, fuel smuggling, damaged infrastructure, and shortages in the energy sector.

The article said the rial fell to a record low at the start of the working week, underscoring the currency’s continued weakness. It also described renewed military tensions between Iran and the US, including reported strikes near Iran’s southern coast and restrictions on Iranian tankers. Those developments are part of a broader standoff that has deepened Iran’s economic problems.

Al Jazeera added that Iranian authorities have increasingly warned about unrest at home, with security and judiciary officials framing protests as a national-security issue. In that context, the government’s public messaging has focused on unity, vigilance, and tighter enforcement against actions seen as encouraging dissent.