12th September 2026 – (Tehran) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Iranian people would not surrender to United States economic pressure, arguing that Washington had turned to squeezing livelihoods after failing to force Tehran to yield through intimidation. Speaking at a meeting with Indian religious leaders, community figures and business representatives in New Delhi, he said attempts to engineer capitulation by creating daily hardship would not succeed.
He condemned what he described as a US naval blockade and an economic war against Iran, asserting that Washington does not want his country to remain independent but that Iran would not bow to bullying. He added that pressure on the economy had intensified in recent months and accused the United States of escalating measures to isolate Iran.
Pezeshkian’s remarks followed comments last month attributed to US President Donald Trump, who announced what he called “the most crushing economic operation ever taken” against any country providing a lifeline to Iran, describing it as economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.