Mumbai — Iran’s Consul General in Mumbai, Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, rejected recent assertions that Tehran is economically or politically collapsing, saying such statements from US President Donald Trump often stem “either from misperceptions or from propaganda considerations.”
Speaking to ANI, Motlagh said he had seen no credible evidence to back reports that Iran is suffering massive, daily losses amid mounting pressure. He cautioned that moves toward an economic blockade would be self-defeating, warning they would cause widespread harm not only to Iran but to the global economy, including the United States. He pointed to rising fuel, energy and consumer costs in Western countries as examples of such spillover effects.
President Trump has publicly said the US will not engage in talks unless the nuclear issue is front and center, and has described Iran as being in a “state of collapse,” while urging a swift reopening of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. He has also warned that an Iranian nuclear capability would threaten global security.
The Wall Street Journal has reported the US administration is planning for a prolonged economic campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports, potentially by tightening control over maritime access to Iranian ports. According to the report, Trump sees a blockade as a lower-risk alternative to renewed air strikes or full military disengagement.
Motlagh defended recent regional diplomacy by Iran, saying Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visits to Pakistan, Oman and Russia were routine foreign ministry travel rather than the work of a specialised negotiating team. He described Tehran’s proposal for an immediate West Asia ceasefire coupled with restored Strait of Hormuz traffic as an effort to pause hostilities while setting aside, for the moment, contentious issues such as the nuclear programme, missiles and sanctions.
Regional leaders remain divided. Gulf Cooperation Council states meeting in Saudi Arabia condemned what they called Iran’s “illegal actions” concerning the strait and called for deeper military integration, including an early warning system for ballistic missiles.
Motlagh also accused Israel of repeatedly failing to honour commitments amid ceasefire violations and said recent tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over oil were a matter for those countries alone, asserting Iran had not intervened.
Describing conditions at home, the Consul General spoke of everyday life marked by “epic resilience” and insisted Iran’s Supreme Leader is “alive, in good health, and fully in control of affairs,” calling contrary reports attempts to undermine public morale.
Report sourced to ANI; published as received.
