Iran is facing a potentially crippling energy crisis as winter approaches, adding to mounting economic woes and political infighting that threaten to further destabilize the Islamic Republic.
Iranian First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref warned on Monday that the government may be forced to restrict natural gas supplies to major consumers as temperatures plunge, according to the London-based and Saudi-funded Iran International.
"We must maintain the stability of the gas network during the cold months so that cold and remote regions can be supplied," Aref reportedly said.
The warning comes on the heels of Iranian lawmaker Hosseinali Haji Deligani demanding over the weekend that parliament move forward with impeachment proceedings against the foreign and agriculture ministers, blaming the senior officials for soaring food prices. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also faced criticism from hardliners over his approach to negotiations with the United States, Iran International reports.
The calls to oust senior officials are the latest sign of deepening divisions within the upper echelons of Iran's government over how to end the war with the U.S.
Amid the growing political turmoil, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appeared to add another condition to Tehran's demands for returning to the negotiating table with Washington, insisting that some U.S. sanctions must be lifted before direct talks can resume.
Pezeshkian claimed that escalating American economic pressure was undermining prospects for diplomacy, demanding concrete sanctions relief before negotiations could move forward.
"Threats and sanctions must be removed in practice to pave the way for dialogue. We cannot increase the intensity of sanctions and pressure every day, close the avenues of interaction, and at the same time talk about negotiations," he wrote on X.
باید تهدیدها و تحریمها در عمل برطرف شود، تا زمینه گفتوگو فراهم شود. نمیتوان هر روز بر شدت تحریمها و فشارها افزود، راههای تعامل را بست و همزمان از مذاکره سخن گفت.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) October 21, 2026
گفتوگو با زبان تهدید و فشار معنا ندارد.
As ZeroHedge previously mused, Pezeshkian may be hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough similar to recent developments between Washington and Moscow, where Trump has eased certain economic pressures while pursuing direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Iran's economy remains under severe strain, with a plunging rial and soaring inflation squeezing ordinary citizens. While Iranian leaders insist the country can withstand years of economic hardship, U.S. military officials paint a far bleaker picture.
Earlier this month, U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper claimed that Iran's financial troubles have become so severe that Tehran-backed militias are withholding soldiers' pay to funnel money to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which he said is also struggling to pay its troops.
Reports of deepening divisions within Iran's leadership come as CNN reported earlier Monday that the Trump administration is weighing plans for another round of military strikes against Tehran after the midterm elections.
