Senior Iranian official warns that economic crisis threatens the regime's stability
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that military power is insufficient to sustain the country if citizens are hungry and the economy is stagnant. The remarks come amid rising US economic pressure and President Masoud Pezeshkian's call to end the war.
Another unusual statement was heard today, Friday, from the top of the Iranian regime: Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that even military power is not enough to allow the country to endure when its citizens are hungry and the economy is not growing. His remarks come at a time when Iran is facing increasing American economic pressure, and on the same day that President Masoud Pezeshkian said that "it is better that we end the war now."
Ghalibaf directly linked Iran's economic situation to its ability to maintain its security power over time:
"No matter how much military power we have, if the people are hungry, and if there is no movement of capital and economic growth – we will not be able to endure."
He continued and clarified that from his perspective, it is impossible to separate the two areas: "Security and economy are two things that depend on each other. If we establish security, but do not accompany it with an economy that ensures its continuity, the security will not be sustainable." The meaning of these words is clear: according to one of the regime's senior officials, missiles, weapons, and military power cannot by themselves ensure Iran's endurance over time. Without an economy capable of supporting the country and its citizens, even security achievements may not be enough.
Ghalibaf's words take on additional significance because they come alongside another unusual message heard from the top of Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that in his opinion, the time has come to end the war. Although he presented the move as something that should be done from a position of strength and not out of surrender, the very call to end the conflict stands out against the backdrop of the belligerent rhetoric heard from Tehran:
"It is better that we end the war now, while we are in a position of strength and dignity."
He did not present the matter as an admission of defeat, but rather claimed that Iran is in a position that allows it to end the conflict without appearing as if it has surrendered.
The statement comes as Washington is increasing economic pressure on Iran. The American administration has announced the intensification of the economic campaign against Tehran, centered on an attempt to harm oil revenues and the factors that help Iran sell oil, transfer funds, and bypass restrictions.
The connection between the economic situation and internal stability is not being raised for the first time in Ghalibaf's words. However, this time the phrasing is particularly sharp: the Parliament Speaker is not only talking about the need to improve the standard of living, but is linking Iran's ability to "endure" to the question of whether the citizens are hungry and whether capital movement and growth exist.
