Iran says US pressure failed to break the country
Key Takeaways
- Pezeshkian said Iran has resisted maximum US pressure.
- He said Washington and Israel expected Iran to collapse.
- Iran says it is expanding trade with neighbouring countries despite sanctions.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran has withstood years of US sanctions and pressure while expanding trade with neighbouring countries.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that the United States and Israel expected Iran to collapse under mounting economic pressure but had been surprised by the country's resilience.
Speaking in a televised address from Tehran, Pezeshkian said Washington's long-running pressure campaign had reached its highest level under his administration.
"They [the US and Israel] expected the country to collapse under the pressure they applied. This pressure has been ongoing for years and didn't have much to do with this government or the previous one. They were steadily pushing our economy closer to the abyss day by day and creating problems," he said.
"Now, under our government, this pressure has reached its maximum, and they are surprised in their analyses as to why we still haven't collapsed," Pezeshkian added.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Nazi flag seen at home of 14-year-old Thailand school shooter
The president acknowledged that sanctions remain a reality but said Iran has adapted by strengthening trade with neighbouring countries.
"Since they have us blockaded, we naturally have various trade routes with our neighbours, and we are expanding our trade and increasing transactions with them. Since we cannot transfer money, we are naturally operating on a barter basis," he said.
His remarks come amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Earlier this week, media reports claimed the United States was facing shortages of some missile stockpiles following the conflict with Iran, although the White House rejected those reports.
The comments also follow conflicting statements over possible US-Iran talks after President Donald Trump said discussions had resumed, while Tehran denied any negotiations were taking place.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
