Iran on the brink of collapse: leadership admits severe crisis

Iran is facing an unprecedented economic and social collapse amid a protracted military conflict. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, and the leadership has for the first time openly acknowledged the scale of the crisis. The US and Israeli naval blockade has cut off oil exports, triggering a fuel crisis and a collapse of the rial. Protests and strikes by public sector workers are growing across the country.

Iran is experiencing a severe economic and social crisis, which the country's leadership has for the first time openly acknowledged. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned amid the inability to maintain energy exports. His duties have been temporarily assigned to the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, Hamid Bovard. The naval blockade organized by the US and Israel, combined with expanded sanctions, has completely cut off oil exports—the main source of budget revenue. This has led to a fuel crisis, a sharp rise in import prices, and a historic collapse of the rial. The head of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, has called the current moment one of the darkest in the country's history. President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced a shift to emergency management methods. Social tension has reached a critical point: medical workers and teachers are resigning en masse due to salaries that do not cover basic expenses, while pensioners are protesting over delayed payments. Diplomatic dialogue between Tehran and Washington is completely frozen.