Iran’s president offers direct talks with business community Amid spreading economic unrest

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said he is prepared to personally engage in negotiations with business leaders if necessary, amid mounting economic unrest and nationwide protests.

According to Caliber.Az, citing the Telegram channel Free Iran, Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad. He signalled a willingness to acknowledge government mistakes, saying: “If they are right about something and we are at fault, we will try to correct ourselves.”

His comments come against the backdrop of ongoing protests across Iran. In recent days, several citizens have been killed in different cities during law enforcement operations against anti-government demonstrators.

The current wave of unrest began in late December 2025 after the Iranian national currency fell to record lows and inflation surged sharply. The economic shock prompted shopkeepers and traders to shut their businesses and take to the streets in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and other cities, protesting deteriorating living conditions and rising costs of living.

Economic hardship remains at the core of the protests, driven by years of international sanctions, government mismanagement and structural corruption, which have weakened the economy, eroded living standards and undermined public trust in Tehran’s leadership.

The demonstrations have since expanded both geographically and socially, with students and other groups joining protests in major urban centres. Many demonstrators are now calling not only for economic relief and reforms, but also for broader political change and greater accountability from the authorities.

By Tamilla Hasanova