TEHRAN – In a televised program aired on Sunday afternoon, President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government has decided to resolve economic problems faced by business owners and the people.

“We are decisive to resolve the problems of businessowners and people in every way possible,” Pezeshkian asserted.

Recently the government has adopted an economic reform plan according to which the subsidized foreign currency will not be allocated to importers of basic commodities, such as cooking oil and corn, and instead put the money in the accounts of the heads of households.

The preferential foreign currency subsidy to importers was a source of corruption as they manipulated the prices of basic commodities and amassed great benefits.    

“So far, some who were gaining astronomical revenues…. will suffer (lose great benefits) from the implementation of the government’s economic reforms, and they may raise their voices in different ways,” the president told the audience in the televised program.  

He added the benefits that these persons were reaping were “large” and thereby they will not stand idly by. “(Though) apparently they may not say something, but they may cause great disturbances in the society,” the president pointed out.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the president pointed to the peaceful protests that started two weeks ago but gradually turned violent under the instigation of the enemies, saying these violent protests are a continuation the 12-day war against Iran by the Israeli regime and the United States in June 2025.

“Now, we are witnessing that the enemy is trying to disrupt the economy… and intensify the unrest,” Pezeshkian noted.

The violent protests have led to death of a number of civilians and security forces alike. Even a nurse from the northern city of Rasht was burned to death as the rioters put a clinic into flames. A nine-year-old girl was also killed inside a car in the western city of Kermanshah.

The president said the enemies have “trained some inside and outside the country” for sabotage acts, facilitated the entry terrorists into the country to “burn mosques,” “markets” and do heinous acts like what happened in Rasht. 

“They also killed some people with guns, beheaded some, and burned some in flames,” Pezeshkian lamented.

He pointed out those who are committing such acts “are not Iranians.”

Pezeshkian added, “Anyone who has a complaint we listen to him and study his complaint. This is our duty.”

Insisting that the brutality against people cannot be tolerated, he said, “Our duty is resolution of people’s problems. At the same time, we have another duty and that is not allowing a number of hooligans cause chaos in the society.”

He also urged the youth not be “deceived by the hooligans and terrorists” and participate in the protests.

The president asked the families not to allow their children to join the protests which have taken a violent course by the terrorists and hooligans, asking, “What kind of protest is this to burn shops, mosques, clinics and people’s homes.”

Pezeshkian said, “The U.S. and Israel order these groups to do sabotage acts and we will support you.”

The president also sympathized with the families who have lost loved ones in the riots.