Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has privately acknowledged to close associates that the country’s economy is on the brink of total collapse, warning that even if international sanctions are lifted, billions of dollars in American assistance would still be required to stabilize the nation, according to a report aired Tuesday evening.

The remarks, reported by Channel 14, reveal a far more dire reality behind the scenes in Tehran than what is publicly presented. Pezeshkian, who is associated with Iran’s reformist camp, reportedly expressed deep concern about the country’s future, stating that key systems have already broken down and that rebuilding them would be extremely difficult even under improved conditions.

“Without American assistance – we will not recover”

According to the report, the Iranian president told those close to him that the only viable path out of the severe economic crisis is reaching a political agreement that would allow for active financial support from the United States. Without such aid, Pezeshkian warned, Iran will be unable to recover from the economic damage it has suffered in recent years.

His comments come amid growing internal tensions within Iran’s leadership. Senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and hardline factions are reportedly pushing for increased military escalation against Western and regional powers. At the same time, Pezeshkian and his allies have attempted to restrain such moves, fearing the economic and international consequences. These divisions have become more visible in connection with recent attacks in the United Arab Emirates, where competing approaches within the leadership have come to the surface.

Deepening Rift in Iran’s Leadership

The president appears to recognize the severity of the country’s economic situation and is signaling that without a significant shift in foreign policy and improved relations with the West, Iran will struggle to survive economically in the long term. The country has been grappling for an extended period with soaring inflation, high unemployment, and a sharp decline in the value of its currency, all of which have fueled social unrest and protests nationwide.

Reports from Iran International indicate that Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are working together in an effort to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi from his position. The two accuse Araghchi of acting as a subordinate to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi and of taking direct instructions from him regarding negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, bypassing the authority of the president.

U.S. Sanctions Taking a Heavy Toll

The American sanctions campaign appears to be having a significant impact. According to reports, Iran has been forced to return aging oil tankers—some decades old—to active service in order to cope with a growing storage crisis. One tanker, 29 years old and long inactive, has reportedly been redeployed near Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.

President Donald Trump described Iran’s economic condition in stark terms: “The naval blockade, to a certain extent, is more effective than the bombings. The Iranians are choking – like a fat pig. And it’s going to get worse for them.”

His comments come as the United States and Israel continue close security coordination regarding potential actions against Iran.

President Calls for Immediate Energy Cuts

Amid the worsening economic situation, Pezeshkian has also issued an unusual direct appeal to the Iranian public, urging citizens to immediately reduce electricity and energy consumption. While officials have publicly claimed there is no current shortage in Tehran, the president indicated that the country’s infrastructure is under deliberate attack by the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian’s statements suggest that even at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership, there is a growing recognition that the situation has reached a critical point, and that without major external intervention, the country lacks the economic tools necessary to halt its continued decline.

{Matzav.com}