Iran Admits US Sanctions and Blockade Severely Impact Trade

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has openly admitted that U.S. sanctions and the blockade of the country's ports are severely impacting its trade. In a state television interview, Pezeshkian stated that Iran's import and export activities have seen a reduction of between 25% and 35%, with imports declining even more significantly than exports.

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We have seen a decrease of between 25 and 35 percent. Our export has decreased, but import has decreased even more.

These acknowledgments come as U.S. sanctions, already stringent, have been progressively tightened since February 28. The blockade specifically targeting Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf began on April 13. Pezeshkian directly challenged those who claim sanctions have no effect, asserting that such claims do not align with the facts.

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has made fewer public appearances since an attack on February 28, has called for greater economic independence for Iran. In a statement released Friday via X, Khamenei urged authorities to prioritize domestic concerns such as inflation, unemployment, pricing, and markets for goods and services.

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To claim that sanctions lack effect does not align with the facts.

Khamenei's message further emphasized the need to focus on economic growth, increased production, and the gradual phasing out of the U.S. dollar's central role in the economy. He stressed making the "resistance economy" the primary focus, signaling a strategic shift toward greater self-reliance amid external pressures.

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Equally crucial is to pay special attention to economic growth, increased production, gradually phasing out the central role of the US dollar and, ultimately, making the 'resistance economy' the central focus.