Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the demands of the people must be heard as the country faces growing protests over worsening economic conditions.
Speaking at a meeting with the economy minister and senior officials, he said that if public concerns had been addressed earlier, the country would not be seeing people on the streets today.
According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian said the government should listen to merchants, traders, bazaar shopkeepers and other groups before their voices are heard through protests.
He stressed that authorities must actively follow up on public demands and find practical solutions instead of reacting only after unrest breaks out.
The president also said Iran needs to decentralize its economic development plans and shift more focus away from the capital to other regions, especially the southern port cities, which he said have strong potential for growth.
Protests that began in late December 2025 over the sharp economic decline have since grown into a wider challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership.
Rising prices, a weak currency and job losses have pushed many people into the streets, putting increasing pressure on the government to respond.
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