US Sanctions Aim to Weaken Iran From Within, President Pezeshkian Says

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly criticised US sanctions against Iran, saying their purpose goes beyond economic pressure and is aimed at creating internal instability and weakening Iranian society.

Speaking at an event organised by Iran’s Ministry of Labour in Tehran, Pezeshkian said Washington was using sanctions and other forms of pressure in an effort to weaken Iranian society from within.

The Iranian president also accused some Iranians living abroad of cooperating with what he described as Iran’s adversaries to create unrest inside the country.

He said certain Iranian elements based overseas were attempting to provoke the public and contribute to instability in Iran in coordination with foreign opponents.

Pezeshkian did not identify the individuals or organisations he was referring to.

Economic Pressure Intensifies

The Iranian president acknowledged that growing economic pressure was affecting the country’s economy and people’s daily lives.

However, he argued that the wider objective behind the sanctions was to create internal pressure and divisions within Iranian society.

His remarks come as Tehran faces increasingly restrictive economic measures targeting its international trade and access to foreign currency.

US Expands Economic Pressure on Iran

The US Treasury Department announced “Operation Economic Outcast” on August 24, according to the information provided, as part of a broader campaign aimed at restricting Iran’s overseas trade revenues and increasing pressure on its economic resources.

The campaign seeks to make it more difficult for Iran to generate revenue through international commerce and to restrict financial channels available to Tehran.

Iranian oil exports have also been affected by US sanctions and the wider naval blockade, while restrictions on access to foreign currency have added pressure to the Iranian economy.

Tehran Rejects US Pressure Campaign

Iran has repeatedly condemned American sanctions as economic warfare and maintained that the measures are designed to undermine the country’s sovereignty and economic stability.

Pezeshkian’s latest remarks reflect Tehran’s position that the US pressure campaign is not limited to restricting Iran’s economy but is also intended to create political and social instability inside the country.