Pezeshkian’s comments come amid protests that erupted in several Iranian cities in recent days, triggered by the rapid fall of the rial and a surge in prices for basic goods. Iranian state television reported on Thursday that a 21-year-old member of the Basij forces was killed during unrest in the western city of Kouhdasht, marking the first officially confirmed fatality since demonstrations began last week. Authorities also said multiple police officers and Basij members were injured during clashes.

Iranian officials have acknowledged public grievances while warning that legitimate economic demands are being exploited to generate instability. Government spokespersons and parliamentary figures have stressed that citizens’ concerns over livelihoods are justified, while cautioning against efforts by hostile actors to transform economic pressure into broader unrest or security threats.

Authorities link the deteriorating economic conditions to years of sweeping US sanctions that have sharply restricted Iran’s access to global financial systems, foreign currency earnings, and international trade. The recent acceleration of currency depreciation followed renewed US enforcement of “maximum pressure” measures, compounding long-standing structural constraints and triggering sudden price shocks that pushed many households and merchants beyond a critical threshold.