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As economic turmoil deepens and living conditions deteriorate, Iran’s ruling clerics are voicing increasing concerns over a looming social explosion. With soaring inflation, a collapsing currency, and growing public anger, high-ranking officials and state-run media have issued multiple warnings, signaling the regime’s fear of mass unrest.
On March 1, the regime’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned that Iran’s water crisis has reached a critical point. “The danger posed by water imbalance threatening Tehran and the region today is terrifying,” he stated during a visit to the IRNA news agency.
Meanwhile, Hessam Khosravi, Deputy Minister of Water Operations and Development, warned that water rationing in Tehran is now a real possibility. He revealed that rainfall has decreased by 25% compared to last year, causing severe depletion in reservoirs, with Tehran’s five major dams now holding only 6% of their full capacity.
Thousands of ppl of Saman, Shahr-e Kord&other cities of Chaharmahal&Bakhtiari province staged a protest against the water shortage&other problems in the city. They were chanting, “Beware if Chaharmahal takes up guns. This is Chaharmahal,.. https://t.co/OqosgFrm7D #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/HNZL8ZE2VR
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 17, 2018
Officials Admit Corruption and Fear the Poor’s Revolt
On March 3, 2025, Ahmad Tavakoli, chairman of the state-affiliated Transparency and Justice Watchdog, delivered a stark warning about the consequences of systemic corruption. “Fear the rage of the poor,” he cautioned regime officials, emphasizing that corruption, rather than sanctions, is the main driver of Iran’s economic collapse.
“Corruption has moved beyond systematic to a networked phenomenon, using laws to solidify its grip,” Tavakoli admitted. He cited the Debsh Tea scandal, where 490 individuals were implicated, as evidence of entrenched corruption within the system. “Could this level of organized crime exist without centralized and structured support?” he asked.
He further criticized lavish spending on luxury imports, including Porsche cars, while essential goods such as medicine remain scarce. Tavakoli concluded with a dire warning: “Corruption has become the foundation of this system. If left unchecked, expect violent social unrest.”
State Media Warns of Public Anger and Economic Collapse
The state-run Ham Miham, on March 1, echoed Tavakoli’s concerns, writing: “Fear the day when the people become angry.” The editorial admitted that with inflation exceeding 40%, the public is desperately turning to gold and foreign currency to protect their savings.
#Corruption and Embezzlement Surface in #Iran as Kourosh Company’s iPhone Ponzi Scheme Collapseshttps://t.co/QkDosVgq4I
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 20, 2024
“Why shouldn’t the people buy dollars and gold, when inflation devours their savings?” the newspaper asked. “Fear the day when the people explode in anger. Fear the day when we can no longer provide water, electricity, or keep factories and even the government running.”
The editorial also pointed to the education crisis, acknowledging that despite significant government spending on schools, over 35 days of the school year have been lost to shutdowns due to economic mismanagement and infrastructure failures.
On February 28, 2025, MP Ali-Asghar Nakhee acknowledged on state television that Iranians’ purchasing power has dropped by 40% compared to last year.
“The government’s manipulation of exchange rates spiraled out of control,” Nakhee admitted. “Workers’ wages have fallen behind inflation for years. The minimum wage, set at just over 7 million tomans, is not even enough to cover rent. How can we expect people to survive?”
While some officials are warning about the public’s anger, others are calling for increased fear tactics to suppress dissent.
Watch our latest 'You Be the Judge' #video
Is the official lip service going to contain the public anger in #Iran#IranProtests
Also watch& share on @YouTubehttps://t.co/JTvyk6ckJo pic.twitter.com/6VdgpKRw5G— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 1, 2022
Officials Push for Fear-Mongering
On March 1, Mohammad Laini, Friday Prayer Leader of Sari, delivered a sermon emphasizing the need to intimidate adversaries, stating: “We must strike fear into the hearts of our enemies, not allow them to think we are weak.”
He admitted that some within the regime have publicly expressed fear of external threats, warning that such admissions encourage enemies to exploit the regime’s vulnerabilities. “Some officials are telling foreign governments that Iran is weak—that a single missile strike would cripple us. This is the worst mistake!” he declared.
Laini also attempted to rally support for economic resilience but contradicted himself by acknowledging the government’s failure to control soaring inflation and stabilize the currency: “They say, ‘bring down the dollar’s value’—but we can’t. They say, ‘stop it from rising’—but we can’t. They say, ‘reduce our dependency on the dollar’—but we can’t.”
#Iran News in Brief
Admitting to public anger against the entire regime, the state-run newspaper Hamdeli wrote on April 30 that the people of Iran blame clerics for their problems and that's why they treat them harshly.https://t.co/0fP02GOqbD pic.twitter.com/Yme7sZ0Fh6— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 1, 2023
Ramadan, Nowruz, and a Ticking Time Bomb
With Ramadan and Nowruz coinciding this year, security forces are on high alert, fearing widespread discontent. Laini acknowledged that even security forces are struggling, thanking intelligence agencies for trying to maintain order but admitting: “The security situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.”
As the economic crisis spirals out of control, even pro-regime figures are openly questioning the state’s ability to contain public anger. The sharp increase in water shortages, poverty, inflation, and systemic corruption has turned Iran into a powder keg, with officials scrambling to prevent an explosion that seems all but inevitable.