President Pezeshkian comments on Iran’s crisis: “The blame lies with me”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concern over the country’s current situation and took responsibility for the problems that have arisen. 

He emphasised that the difficulties faced by citizens result from government mistakes, not the people themselves, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“I believe the blame lies with me. The blame lies with us. That student, that worker, those people—they are not at fault. Therefore, we must correct our work. My duty is to serve the people, and yours is to solve their problems, not add new ones to the existing,” Pezeshkian stressed.

The president’s remarks come amid a wave of nationwide protests that began in late December 2025 after Iran’s currency, the rial, plunged to historic lows, prompting shopkeepers and traders in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and other cities to demonstrate over rising inflation and economic hardship. 

What began as economic unrest quickly spread across at least 27 provinces, with many demonstrators voicing broader political grievances and demanding structural reforms. 

Security forces have responded with a heavy crackdown, including lethal force and mass arrests, as protesters continue to push for economic relief and political accountability

Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) and its media project HRANA report that at least 35 people have been killed during nine days of protests, with over 1,200 arrests recorded. The fatalities include 29 protesters, four children, and two security personnel, according to rights activists.

By Jeyhun Aghazada