A Tehran-based pro-reform newspaper called on president to take concrete steps toward negotiations with the United States, arguing that rhetoric alone will not resolve Iran’s economic crisis.
Responding to Masoud Pezeshkian’s remarks on Thursday saing,"We will not bow to bullies. We should not fear what they plan to do with sanctions. Some say we have no choice but to negotiate"—the reformist daily Ham Mihan questioned his approach.
"You say you don't shy away from dialogue—so why not put the ball in the opponent’s court?" the editorial argued. It urged the president to work toward halting the Trump administration's escalating sanctions, establish a negotiation agenda, and set a clear timeframe for talks.
The newspaper dismissed the notion that negotiating with the US equates to surrender, writing, "If they [the US] act like bullies and demand more than they offer, then inform the people and reject their terms. Otherwise, negotiations will yield results. Those who argue that we have no choice but to negotiate are not advocating surrender—because surrender requires no negotiation."
The debate over talks with the United States comes as Iran faces increasing economic pressure. In February, US President Donald Trump reinstated sanctions under his “maximum pressure” policy, calling for a deal that would permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
More recently, Trump signed a directive aiming to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero, arguing that Tehran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and must make a deal.
"I would prefer a deal with Tehran to an Israeli attack on their nuclear sites," he said after signing the memorandum that reinstated the sanctions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed engagement with Trump, calling negotiations "not wise, expedient, or dignified."
Beyond foreign policy, Ham Mihan also examined Pezeshkian’s economic promises, particularly his statement that "If shares are to be allocated, they should go to those truly in need, not to the wealthy."
These are good words, wrote Ham-Mihan. “So why hasn’t it been implemented? You have repeated it several times already. Moreover, your proposed national budget contradicts this notion of justice. You have increased salaries at half the rate of inflation.”
On Pezeshkian’s comments that "we are not afraid; we will stay and build the country with strength," Ham Mihan argued that fear is sometimes necessary.
"People are afraid. Officials should also be afraid. We should fear the people becoming angry. We should fear that some are unable to secure a dignified life... We should fear being unable to provide water and electricity for the people, leading to factory closures and even government shutdowns."
Iran continues to struggle with mounting economic and social crises, exacerbated by years of sanctions, government mismanagement, and public unrest. The 2022 protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, evolved into broader demonstrations against political repression and economic hardship. The government’s crackdown further eroded trust in state institutions.
The national currency has suffered a dramatic collapse, with the rial recently surpassing 940,000 per US dollar. Inflation remains persistently high, driving up the cost of food, housing, and healthcare. Energy shortages have worsened the crisis, with rolling blackouts disrupting industries and daily life.
The editorial concluded by warning Pezeshkian that rhetoric alone will not satisfy public expectations: " Let us fear that people pin their hopes on us, only for us to disappoint them and make them turn away. In fact, more than anything, we are in need of fear."
