Even Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is worried about Iran’s economy and 'social cohesion' as U.S. pressure gets tougher to withstand | Fortune
"There is the need to seriously address the chain of economic and livelihood challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, management of prices and the market for goods and services."
Iran’s Economy Faces Deepening Strain as U.S. Pressure Intensifies
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of public view since the U.S.–Israeli strike on Feb. 28 that killed his father, issued a written directive late last month warning officials against any actions that could damage social cohesion. The statement also urged officials to refrain from “discouraging statements that weaken national and public motivation,” according to Reuters.
Economic Pain Points
Khamenei’s memo highlighted a series of urgent economic challenges, naming inflation, unemployment, price management and the broader market for goods and services as areas that demand serious attention. He called on the government to act decisively to mitigate these pressures. The Iranian rial has continued its slide to fresh lows, and the overall economic climate has worsened, a trend the leader attributes in part to the ongoing U.S. war and naval blockade that restricts trade and finance.
Public Discontent
Long queues at gasoline stations have already sparked new, though smaller‑scale, protests compared with the massive demonstrations of January. Earlier unrest was fueled by a currency collapse last year and soaring inflation, which prompted a harsh crackdown that resulted in thousands of deaths. Since those events, the rial’s value has eroded further and living conditions have deteriorated.
Presidential Acknowledgment
President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the leadership’s concerns in a state‑media interview, emphasizing Iran’s resilience and unity while conceding that “we have many problems.” He estimated that total Iranian trade has fallen between 25 % and 35 %, noting that imports have contracted far more sharply than exports. Pezeshkian dismissed claims that sanctions have no impact, saying such statements conflict with observable facts.
U.s. Sanctions Escalate
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an “economic D‑Day” aimed at closing the loopholes that allow Iran to evade sanctions. The move is expected to further curtail the regime’s ability to generate oil revenue and secure essential imports. Senior Iranian officials told Reuters that the U.S. blockade and intensified enforcement of sanctions‑evasion rules are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to absorb.
Financing and Fuel Shortages
Efforts to cut Iran off from international financing networks in third‑party countries represent a pressing threat, according to the same sources. One senior insider warned that Iran possesses only about two months of gasoline reserves, a shortfall that stems from limited domestic refining capacity and the need to import most of its fuel.
Outlook
With the rial sinking, trade volumes shrinking, and fuel supplies dwindling, Iran’s leadership faces a mounting challenge to preserve both economic stability and social cohesion. The United States’ tightened sanctions regime adds further pressure, leaving the country’s near‑term prospects uncertain and the population poised for continued hardship.
Source: fortune.com · 2026-09-06