Iranian president condemns foreign pressure, says nation’s strength lies in its people

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly criticised foreign pressure on Iran, saying the country’s real source of power lies in public support.

Speaking at a public gathering in Tehran on January 6, Pezeshkian said Iran’s adversaries seek to hinder the nation’s progress through sanctions and economic restrictions, while at the same time presenting themselves as defenders of the Iranian people, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

He described such positions as contradictory, stating that those responsible for “widespread crimes and mass killings” now claim to champion human rights. Referring to the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Lebanon and Palestine, the president pointed to what he called clear violations of human rights.

According to Pezeshkian, women, children, the elderly and civilians are being indiscriminately targeted by bombardments, yet those responsible continue to speak about human rights. He described the situation as catastrophic.

The president stressed that Iran’s true power and wealth come from its people, adding that all governing institutions — including the administration, parliament and local councils — must remain closely connected to the public.

“My only demand is for Iran to stand proud and for its people to live with dignity,” Pezeshkian said, pledging to make every effort within the framework of the Supreme Leader’s policies to achieve this goal.

He also highlighted the importance of dialogue and free expression, recalling the Supreme Leader’s emphasis on creating platforms for open discussion at universities. Students, he said, are a national asset, while the people represent the country’s greatest capital.

The government’s duty is to listen to citizens and work to resolve their problems, Pezeshkian added. He also underlined the administration’s commitment to transparency, calling on media outlets and oversight bodies to closely monitor the performance of public officials.

By Vugar Khalilov