Iran president admits country facing 'many problems' amid US sanctions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday that his country's citizens face "many problems," after the United States launched a new wave of sanctions seeking to further isolate its economy.

What did Iran's president say about the country's problems?

Pezeshkian said Iran faces significant domestic strain but that his government is working to contain it. His remarks followed a fresh round of US sanctions announced last week, part of Washington's stated goal of forcing regime change in Tehran.

"I understand we have many problems in society right now. We are trying to prevent these as much as we can," Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state television. His comments came after the United States vowed last week to bring about the "collapse" of the Iranian regime through a newly announced sanctions campaign, nearly six months after the start of their war.

In his response, Pezeshkian said that, thanks to US President Donald Trump, Iran was "in a full-scale economic, military and security war." "He says he is imposing the most crushing and terrifying sanctions on Iran," Pezeshkian said.

Why has Iran faced mass protests in recent years?

The Iranian government has faced several waves of mass protest in recent years, often triggered by economic hardships, including inflation and exchange rate swings that have reduced purchasing power. At the end of December last year, a protest movement initially sparked by the rising cost of living turned into mass demonstrations denouncing those in power.

Authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest and accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the violence. Foreign-based NGOs, however, said officials had launched an indiscriminate crackdown that left thousands dead.

"We are striving with all our hearts to overcome inflation, livelihood problems, unemployment, and to secure the future of the people, so that they can live with dignity and pride," Pezeshkian said on Sunday.