Iran Continues Threatening To Escalate The War With The U.S., But Officials Are Also Worried About The Economy

Members of the Iranian regime are reportedly concerned about the economic impact of heightened measures from the U.S. as hostilities continue.

Citing two officials, Reuters detailed that Tehran is facing mounting pressure that could result in renewed unrest in the country.

Added to high inflation, a depreciating currency and energy shortages, Iran is also facing heavily damaged infrastructure and lost production, among other woes.

The outlet went on to recall that rents rose more than 30% in March. And even though the minimum wage has climbed more than 60%, the continued depreciation of the rial means that its purchasing power has decreased anyway. It has dropped from $105 to about $86 since March.

The U.S. has vowed to increase economic pressure against Iran as the war continues and an agreement seems out of reach.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that the U.S. will apply economic measures "that have never been seen on Iran."

Speaking to Newsmax, Bessent said the tactic "will be a combination of economic isolation like ‌the world has ​never seen before, ​and ​the continued blockade in ‌the Strait of ​Hormuz that will ​keep anything from going in or out of ​the ‌Iranian ports." He did not elaborate further, only saying "just watch this space."

The remarks echo those of President Donald Trump, who claimed economic pressure on Tehran is working.

Speaking to Real America's Voice this week, Trump said the country's economy is in tatters. "They've got 300% inflation. Their currency has almost no value. They're not paying their soldiers. Their soldiers are leaving."

He went on to say that while military options are still on the table, he is leaning towards continuing down the current path: "Economically, they are a mess. They can't borrow money. We control their money, what they had, which is a lot. They had a lot, and we have total control of it. I'm their banker," Trump added.

Trump also said this week that there is a backchannel for peace talks but Iran "should put up the white flag of surrender." "I have no time schedule," Trump told Fox News' Trey Ingst on Monday. "They're good poker players, but they're dying," he added.