Iran’s president calls for peace ‘today’ in acknowledgment of economic warfare

Published August 21, 2026 3:37pm ET | Updated August 21, 2026 3:37pm ET



Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday called for an end to his country’s war with the United States, appearing to break with radical hardliners. 

Amid Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports, which has cost Tehran billions, and an “Economic D-Day” campaign targeting Tehran that President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, Pezeshkian conceded the severe economic impact the war has had on Iran.

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