Trump Shares Report on Iranian Leaders Calling for End to War Amid Economic Crisis
U.S. President Donald Trump shared a report detailing calls by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to end the war and focus on Iran's severe economic crisis amid stalled diplomatic talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump shared a report on Monday afternoon from The Wall Street Journal indicating that senior political figures in Iran are calling for an end to the war to focus on rebuilding their severely damaged economy. Trump posted a link to the article on his Truth Social account without adding any accompanying text.
According to the report, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have publicly opposed the harder line pushed by other elements within the regime, urging a focus on ending the conflict and addressing the country's economic crisis.
Internal Iranian Divisions
"The war must end at some point," Pezeshkian reportedly said on Friday, according to Iranian media. He added:
"It is better that we demonstrate our strength and dignity today, tell the world we have won, and end the war."
Qalibaf was more cautious but warned that military power alone cannot guarantee Iran's stability if the economic crisis persists. "No matter how much military power we have, if our people are struggling and the country suffers from a lack of cash flow and economic growth, we will not achieve progress," Qalibaf said. "As someone who has experienced war, we understand the true value of peace."
These statements come as the diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran remains stalled, and the Trump administration intensifies economic pressure through sanctions and a naval blockade on Iranian ports. According to the Journal, the war and economic measures have worsened the crisis already plaguing the Iranian economy, further weakening the currency and making daily expenses difficult for citizens.
Stalled Negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz
Among more moderate elements in the Iranian leadership, there is concern that prolonged pressure could ultimately threaten the regime's stability. Conversely, hardliners in Tehran continue to demand strict conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while the Trump administration demands deep concessions from Iran.
The Journal noted that despite the messages from Pezeshkian and Qalibaf, it remains unclear whether conditions exist to resume negotiations. A memorandum of understanding signed in June to end the war collapsed over Iranian attempts to regulate traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Subsequent talks in early August stalled after the United States rejected any agreement that did not guarantee free and unhindered passage through the strait.
On Friday, Trump himself stated that the Iranians want to reach an agreement but are not yet ready for the terms demanded by Washington:
"They would love to make a deal, but they are not ready to make the right deal."
Analysts cited in the report estimated that the statements by senior Iranian officials are a significant expression of the regime's economic distress, but warned that without an agreed-upon basis for a new deal, the risk of further escalation remains high.
