Iranian President blames U.S. for inciting unrest amid maritime blockade

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated today that the country is currently facing its most severe challenges since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He accused the United States of intentionally fueling public anger and inciting social unrest through a naval blockade that has crippled the nation's economy. The current conflict escalated on February 28, 2026, when joint Israeli-American airstrikes resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, leading Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, the United States imposed a blockade on all Iranian ports in April 2026.

Pezeshkian described the ongoing situation as an unprecedented crisis in the 48-year history of the Islamic Republic, claiming that the U.S. is weaponizing the economic hardships caused by the blockade to trigger domestic instability. Amid these tensions, the Iranian military has reported that an oil tanker is currently on fire east of the Strait of Hormuz, further exacerbating regional volatility. The Iranian government continues to maintain that foreign powers are the primary architects of the domestic dissatisfaction faced by the state.