Iran to tackle economic issues, says further attacks will be 'more painful' - Reuters
Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned that any additional U.S. attacks would meet a “more painful” retaliation, even as Tehran rolls out economic measures to combat soaring inflation and sanctions. The dual strategy highlights Tehran’s effort to balance military deterrence with urgent domestic reforms.
AI Objective Summary
Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned that any additional U.S. attacks would meet a “more painful” retaliation, even as Tehran rolls out economic measures to combat soaring inflation and sanctions. The dual strategy highlights Tehran’s effort to balance military deterrence with urgent domestic reforms.
*Generated automatically for transparency. Verified for objective reporting.
**Iran Warns of “More Painful” Retaliation as It Shifts Focus to Economic Relief**
Tehran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, told a gathering of lawmakers on Monday that any further U.S. strikes against Iranian assets would provoke a “faster, heavier, more painful” response. The remark came after the United States intensified pressure on Iran’s maritime links, sanctioning shipping companies and ordering naval patrols that have intercepted tankers suspected of carrying oil to Syria. Iranian officials have also cited recent U.S. drone attacks on Iranian naval vessels in the Gulf of Oman as evidence of an escalating pattern of aggression that could threaten regional stability.
At the same time, Iranian authorities announced a new set of economic initiatives aimed at curbing the country’s spiraling inflation, which has hovered above 40 % for several months, and mitigating the impact of sanctions that have strangled imports and foreign investment. The government plans to expand subsidies for essential food items, accelerate the rollout of a national digital currency to bypass banking restrictions, and increase domestic production of petrochemicals to reduce reliance on foreign markets. President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration hopes these measures will restore public confidence and prevent further social unrest amid rising unemployment, which the World Bank estimates now exceeds 12 % for youth.
International observers note the juxtaposition of Iran’s hard‑line military rhetoric with its economic overtures as a calculated attempt to project resilience. The United Nations has called for de‑escalation, urging both Washington and Tehran to resume diplomatic channels, while European nations have signaled willingness to mediate if sanctions are eased. Analysts warn that a misstep on either front—further U.S. strikes or a domestic economic collapse—could draw the region into a broader conflict, underscoring the delicate balance Tehran seeks to maintain between deterrence and internal stability.
---
Public Comments Board
Objective discourse and feedback logs (0)