One of Iran's top officials admitted: "One of the hardest periods in our history"

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, publicly admitted that the country is experiencing one of the hardest periods in its history, amid a severe economic crisis, the weakening of the rial, American sanctions, and a naval blockade. Rezaei made the remarks at a government meeting on stabilizing the economy, after more than seven months of war. Meanwhile, teachers and nurses announced mass resignations due to insufficient wages, and the oil minister resigned.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the country's top security official, publicly admitted that Iran is experiencing one of the hardest periods in its history. Rezaei, who often serves as one of Tehran's most strident and violent voices, made the remarks during a meeting of senior government officials on Saturday, which dealt with ways to stabilize the economy, after more than seven months of war. The public admission of the difficult situation is considered unusual, especially coming from such a senior security figure. According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA, Rezaei described the circumstances as "one of the hardest periods the country has faced." The severe economic crisis has worsened since the start of the war in late February, with a sharp deterioration in the Iranian rial exchange rate to over 2.5 million rials per dollar, and the intensification of American sanctions and enforcement of a naval blockade affecting oil exports. The difficulties are felt among workers in the public and private sectors: teachers and nurses have announced they are leaving their jobs due to insufficient wages, and retirees held protests over non-payment of full pensions. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigned yesterday, and in Iran they insist this is due to "personal reasons" only. In the United States, they note that they are winning the economic confrontation, while Iran's leadership hopes the economic pressure will harm President Trump ahead of the midterm elections.