00:17The Iranian people have no fear of martyrdom, declared President Massoud Pazeshkian on
00:25February 18th, 2026. Addressing a gathering of economists in Tehran, Pazeshkian's words quickly
00:34went viral on social media platforms like X and Telegram. We would be proud to become martyrs,
00:42he said, emphasizing national resilience in the face of external threats. The remarks came amid
00:50Iran's deepening economic crisis. Soaring inflation, a plummeting rial, and widespread poverty had
00:58fueled protests since December 2025, shaking Tehran and other major cities. Pazeshkian framed these
01:08internal challenges as the result of foreign interference, calling for unity and reforms to
01:15counter enemies exploiting domestic discontent. Yet his speech shifted from economics to defiance,
01:23echoing decades of Iranian political rhetoric where martyrdom is revered as a symbol of resistance.
01:31Analysts note that Pazeshkian's words were not just cultural, they were political, signaling Iran's
01:38steadfast stance while rallying domestic support. The timing also coincides with an unprecedented U.S.
01:47military buildup in the Middle East. Over 50 fighter jets, tankers, two aircraft carrier strike groups,
01:55and guided missile destroyers have been deployed, marking the largest U.S. mobilization in the region
02:02since the Iraq war. Analysts warned that tensions could escalate further amid stalled nuclear talks in Geneva.
02:11Pazeshkian's message, therefore, was twofold, a reminder of Iran's cultural heritage of sacrifice,
02:19and a warning to international powers that the nation remains resolute even under threat of military action.
02:28Internationally, the speech raised alarms. U.S. officials condemned the rhetoric as provocative,
02:34while regional actors, including Israel, noted the potential for escalation if diplomacy fails.
02:42Yet within Iran, the message resonated among hardliners and ordinary citizens alike, reinforcing the narrative
02:51narrative that Iran can withstand both internal turmoil and external pressure. The question now
02:58hangs over the region. Is Pazeshkian's declaration symbolic bravado or a prelude to heightened confrontation
03:06with the United States and its allies? In the complex mix of economic instability, domestic unrest, and global
03:16tensions, Iran's leadership is sending a clear message. Pride, defiance, and readiness remain central to its strategy.
03:25Today's story is Pazeshkian's message.
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