{"id":349302,"date":"2026-11-12T18:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T17:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=349302"},"modified":"2026-11-12T18:55:42","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T17:55:42","slug":"amid-economic-crisis-irans-clerics-demand-nuclear-escalation-and-hijab-crackdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/economy\/amid-economic-crisis-irans-clerics-demand-nuclear-escalation-and-hijab-crackdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Amid Economic Crisis, Iran\u2019s Clerics Demand Nuclear Escalation and Hijab Crackdown"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The ‘Haj Qasem’ ballistic missile on display during the state-staged march on February 10, 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three-minute read<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Iranian regime’s Assembly of Experts<\/a>, the clerical body responsible for selecting and overseeing the supreme leader, issued a sweeping statement Thursday calling for reconsideration of the country’s nuclear commitments, stronger enforcement of compulsory hijab and centralized wartime economic management. The statement reflects the ruling establishment\u2019s attempt to escalate pressure on its adversaries and force concessions through nuclear threats, even as the regime faces deepening economic crises and mounting public discontent at home.<\/p>\n

Assembly of Experts Demands Nuclear Shift<\/h2>\n

In its November 12 statement<\/a>, the Assembly of Experts declared that examining withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and revising Iran’s defense doctrine had become an unavoidable necessity. It portrayed these steps as a “national demand.”<\/p>\n

The Assembly also urged authorities to intensify action against perceived violations of compulsory hijab, describing challenges to official religious norms as threats to the country’s ideological foundations. It called for a wartime economic headquarters operating under the supreme leader’s supervision.<\/p>\n

The intervention exposes the priorities of the clerical establishment at a time of severe domestic strain: more centralized control over economic policy, continued enforcement of religious restrictions and a potentially far-reaching change in nuclear policy. A separate domestic political assessment<\/a> acknowledged divisions over leaving the NPT, with critics warning that withdrawal could increase Iran’s political and security costs.<\/p>\n

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Iran faces deepening factional infighting over intelligence appointments and political prosecutions, reported killings of Baluch civilians, #protests<\/a> in Shahroud and flood damage cutting off villages. Meanwhile, food prices and water shortages strain households as the regime\u2026<\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n