Iran Defies US Sanctions Amid 35% Trade Decline
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged a 35% drop in foreign trade due to intensified US sanctions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the economic pressure, Tehran maintains that its military preparedness and diplomacy are inseparable. The government continues to resist the US sanctions campaign targeting its financial networks and oil exports, which has led to significant inflation and currency pressure within the country.