Iran Security Council Warns Protests Likely as Blockade Chokes Economy

Overview

• The Supreme National Security Council, which met Tuesday, heard intelligence assessments that protests are inevitable as the downturn deepens.
• Security officials estimated Iran can endure only six to eight more weeks under the U.S. maritime blockade that began in mid‑April, pointing to a late May or early June crunch.
• Oil, petrochemical and steel output has stalled, with officials warning that repairs and recovery could take years.
• Banks, stock and currency exchanges are largely closed, which has frozen day‑to‑day trade and left shoppers guessing what things really cost.
• Internet outages have erased income for about one in five people who rely on online work, and authorities are on alert for May 1 labor protests and possible calls by exiled figure Reza Pahlavi, according to opposition‑linked Iran International.