Iranian leaders expressed concern that increased U.S. economic pressure could trigger further public unrest within the country [1].
The warning comes as the Iranian government navigates an ongoing war with the United States. If tighter sanctions deepen existing economic hardships, the leadership fears a resurgence of the civil instability that has previously threatened domestic control.
Lawmakers and officials are particularly wary of the volatility following previous outbreaks of violence. Protests over economic hardships were crushed in January 2026 [1], but the government views the current environment as fragile.
Specific shortages are already impacting the population. Lawmaker Reza Sepahvand said to Iran's ILNA news agency that a blockade has effectively cut off gasoline imports [1]. This disruption to energy supplies serves as a primary example of how economic pressure manifests in daily life for Iranian citizens.
Reports indicate that the ruling class is acutely aware of the link between financial stability and political survival. A Reuters report said that Iranian leaders are worried that a threat of more economic punishment by the United States could increase hardships and reignite unrest [1].
While some reports specify that Donald Trump has vowed to hit Iran hard economically, other accounts refer more broadly to U.S. pressure [1, 2]. Regardless of the specific administration's rhetoric, the fear among Iranian lawmakers remains focused on the internal reaction to external financial warfare.
The Iranian government continues to manage the fallout from these sanctions while maintaining its military posture. The intersection of war and economic isolation has created a precarious balance for the leadership in Tehran.
“Iranian leaders are worried that a threat of more economic punishment by the United States could increase hardships and reignite unrest”
This internal anxiety reveals a strategic vulnerability for the Iranian government. By highlighting the risk of unrest, leaders are signaling that economic sanctions may be as effective as military action in destabilizing the regime, as the state must balance its external war efforts against the necessity of maintaining basic services like gasoline to prevent domestic uprising.
