Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly acknowledged his country has taken hits from U.S. attacks, urging officials to level with the public instead of pushing rosy talking points as pressure builds at home.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting of the Government Information Council that was televised by Iranian media.
In a blunt warning to fellow officials, Pezeshkian said leaders should avoid rhetoric that deepens internal divisions, but insisted they cannot pretend the war hasn’t hurt Iran.
“Iran’s leaders “should avoid any tone or voices that create division, but we must also face reality; It is not the case that we have not suffered harm,” Pezeshkian said.
He then took aim at what he described as propaganda-style messaging, saying Iran’s public deserves honesty about the costs of the conflict.
“Anyone in a position of leadership must speak honestly and transparently to their society and their people,” Pezeshkian told officials. “Misleading information, false messaging, or portraying a reality in which ‘they are collapsing while we are prospering’ is unacceptable. The truth is that both we and others face challenges.”
The admission marked a rare moment of candor from Tehran’s leadership, which has often leaned on defiance-heavy messaging in clashes with Washington. But Pezeshkian tried to balance the reality check with a line-in-the-sand warning that Iran won’t bend.
Pezeshkian nevertheless said that Iran “will not bow to pressure.”
“We will not sacrifice our country’s dignity and honor for comfort or convenience. We have valid reasons and clear justification, and we are fully capable of defending our nation’s rights with strength, backed by our people,” he said.
The comments landed as President Donald Trump warned Iran that the “clock is ticking” on an acceptable nuclear deal that would ensure Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Trump is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on the potential revival of military action against Iran on Tuesday, according to U.S. updates.
Trump also used the moment to lash out at media coverage of the conflict, arguing major outlets would frame events as an Iranian win no matter what happens.
“If Iran surrenders, admits their Navy is gone and resting at the bottom of the sea, and their Air Force is no longer with us, and if their entire Military walks out of Tehran, weapons dropped and hands held high, each shouting ‘I surrender, I surrender’ while wildly waving the representative White Flag, and if their entire remaining Leadership signs all necessary ‘Documents of Surrender,’ and admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent U.S.A., The Failing New York Times, The China Street Journal (WSJ!), Corrupt and now Irrelevant CNN, and all other members of the Fake News Media, will headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America, it wasn’t even close,” Trump wrote.
“The Dumacrats and Media have totally lost their way. They have gone absolutely CRAZY!” he added.
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