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Iran's Pezeshkian calls for unity as US intensifies economic pressure

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • President Masoud Pezeshkian said national unity could neutralize US efforts to create divisions as Washington imposes its toughest sanctions regime on Iran.
  • He warned against abrupt policy changes but confirmed plans to raise the price of one petrol quota and reduce monthly allocations.
  • Iran's currency fell to more than 2.25 million rials per US dollar as military confrontation, a naval blockade and energy shortages continued.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Iranian officials and the public to remain united as the United States increases economic pressure on Tehran, saying national cohesion can “neutralise” attempts to create divisions.

Washington announced an “Economic D-Day” against Iran last month. The measures were described as the toughest sanctions regime in US history and aim to cut economic lifelines supporting the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

neutralise

· Masoud PezeshkianThe Iranian president said national cohesion could counter attempts to create divisions inside Iran.

Pezeshkian said the pressure would not force his government into abrupt policy changes that could trigger further unrest. “Through war, blockade and sanctions, the enemies seek to create division, fissures and unrest inside the country,” he reportedly told officials on Friday.

He also cautioned against placing additional pressure on an already strained population. “People are now on the edge; if I impose another pressure, they may fall off,” he said during a televised appearance earlier in the week. His government nevertheless plans to double the price of one of three petrol quotas for private vehicles and reduce monthly fuel allocations.

Through war, blockade and sanctions, the enemies seek to create division, fissures and unrest inside the country.

· Masoud PezeshkianHe reportedly told officials that external pressure was intended to fuel domestic unrest.

Iran faces severe energy shortages linked in the article to fuel smuggling, damaged or neglected oil and gas infrastructure, and expensive, fuel-intensive vehicles. A broader petrol price increase could raise logistics costs and worsen inflation, which is affecting households across the country.

The rial fell to a new low of more than 2.25 million to the US dollar when Tehran's market opened on Saturday. At the same time, military confrontation continued. The US military bombed an oil tanker near Iran's Kharg Island after further attacks on southern Iran and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has also blocked Iranian tankers from leaving southern shores as part of a naval blockade aimed at choking crude exports. Iran says it will return to commitments under a June memorandum of understanding if the United States does the same.

People are now on the edge; if I impose another pressure, they may fall off.

· Masoud PezeshkianHe used the warning during a televised appearance while discussing pressure on the Iranian public.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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