Pezeshkian Calls for National Unity as Rial Hits New Low, Warns Public Is 'On the Edge'

President Masoud Pezeshkian called for national cohesion against U.S. economic pressure, saying 'through war, blockade and sanctions, the enemies seek to create division, fissures and unrest inside the country' and that unity could 'neutralise' attempts to sow domestic discord. He acknowledged the toll on ordinary Iranians, saying 'people are now on the edge; if I impose another pressure, they may fall off,' and indicated his government would raise some fuel prices selectively rather than pursue broader hikes that could trigger further inflation and unrest. The remarks came as Iran's rial hit a new low of roughly 2.25 million to the US dollar when currency markets reopened, and as the U.S. continued to enforce the sweeping 'Economic D-Day' sanctions regime announced the previous month. Separately, businessman Sadegh Saedinia was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison with asset confiscation for supporting the January 2026 protests.