Iran’s Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Seyed Ali Madanizadeh has outlined a comprehensive offensive strategy designed to counteract the impact of U.S. sanctions on the country’s economy. Speaking during Government Week, Madanizadeh emphasized that the current administration had anticipated such challenges and prepared accordingly to mitigate potential disruptions.

The minister described longstanding attempts by external adversaries to weaken Iran through military threats, territorial disintegration efforts, and political unrest. He credited the resilience of Iran’s military forces, government officials, and populace, combined with diplomatic measures, for thwarting these efforts. While acknowledging attacks on critical infrastructure such as steel and petrochemical plants have caused economic damage, he said recovery has been rapid, with affected units returning to operational status and market shortages steadily addressed.

Responding to recent statements from the U.S. Treasury aimed at tightening sanctions, Madanizadeh dismissed the idea that these measures could sever Iran’s economic and financial lifelines. He characterized such threats as remnants of a unipolar global order that he asserts no longer exists, noting that Iran has previously withstood and defeated similar pressures economically and diplomatically. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the Iranian population has faced significant hardships in the form of high inflation and currency volatility over the past year, attributing these difficulties to targeted foreign actions.

The minister detailed a coordinated approach involving multiple government bodies—including the Central Bank, Budget and Planning Organization, and ministries overseeing industry, agriculture, transport, and labor—to implement contingency plans addressing finance, trade, and supply chain disruptions. He cited successful efforts to establish alternative trade routes following maritime restrictions and measures to counter attempts to block oil exports or disrupt budgetary stability.

Madanizadeh highlighted improvements in customs operations, noting a drastic reduction in clearance times from as long as 10 months to eight days, with ongoing efforts to cut this further to three days. He also reported that tax revenues surpassed 90 percent of targets despite the ongoing economic challenges, and that the banking sector continued to provide financing for housing, family support, and business capital.

Drawing attention to what he termed an “economic terrorist operation” targeting vulnerable groups such as patients and children, Madanizadeh warned that Iran’s response will not be limited to defense but will include offensive measures if necessary. He also pointed out that two major global powers have rejected the new U.S. sanctions and predicted that more countries would follow, either officially or unofficially.

To address inflation and economic pressures, Madanizadeh introduced a seven-pillar government program. This initiative includes monetary and banking policy reforms, support for production and employment through investment financing, capital market reforms—which have already facilitated significant business financing via debt issuance—and ongoing household support programs, notably the continuation and expansion of the food subsidy program known as Kala-Barg.