Former regime president warns of unprecedented threats as workers and retirees struggle with unbearable living costs and collapsing social protections.
Former Regime President Warns of “Unprecedented” National Crisis
New remarks attributed to former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami—reported by Bahar News—underscore the depth of Iran’s escalating political and economic crisis. In a meeting with members of the so-called Reform Front, he reportedly acknowledged that the situation facing the country today is without precedent since the 1979 revolution.
Khatami referenced severe domestic and external threats and suggested that unless the regime changes its governing approach—both internally and in its foreign policy—the state itself faces a serious risk. While he framed these remarks within the boundaries tolerated by the political establishment, he nevertheless warned that current policies endanger both the country and its people.
He added that a vast majority of the population—around 80 percent—are not politically aligned with any faction and are simply trying to survive amid economic collapse, insecurity, and a bleak future. The acknowledgment reflects a growing recognition, even within circles traditionally loyal to the system, that the depth of public misery has reached alarming levels.
Workers and Retirees Unable to Afford Basic Medical Care
Bahar News also reported new details exposing the extreme hardships endured by Iranian workers and retirees. According to statements from the executive secretary of the Workers’ House in Qazvin, living conditions have deteriorated so severely that even with double shifts many workers remain unable to meet their basic needs.
Healthcare costs have become catastrophic. Despite constitutional requirements that social-security healthcare be provided free of charge, workers now face staggering bills. A simple surgical procedure can exceed 100 million toman—an amount entirely out of reach for most working families. More complex surgeries are described as “unimaginable,” leaving many without lifesaving treatment.
Workers and retirees are increasingly pushed toward supplemental insurance plans, which offer weak coverage and provide little relief. Meanwhile, insurance providers accuse Iran’s Social Security Organization of failing to pay its obligations for more than eight months. As a result, retirees—many already living below the poverty line—must drain their savings or sell personal property simply to access basic medical care.
Social Security Debt Surges Past Crisis Threshold
The situation is compounded by the soaring debt of the Social Security Organization, which Bahar News reports has surpassed one trillion toman and is approaching 1.3 trillion. This financial collapse threatens to disrupt pension payments—a scenario that would endanger more than half of Iran’s population, given the number of households dependent on social-security support.
Labor representatives warn that if the organization becomes unable to pay pensions for even a few months, the consequences would be devastating, pushing millions further into poverty.
A Systemic Failure With No Clear Path Forward
Together, these two reports reveal a society collapsing under the weight of systemic dysfunction. Political elites acknowledge unprecedented national threats, while workers and retirees experience daily the consequences of decades of mismanagement, corruption, and economic isolation.
The overwhelming message—from former regime officials and labor advocates alike—is that ordinary Iranians are paying the price for a governance model unwilling to change and to prioritize the welfare of the people while continuing to waste their wealth in its malign activities.
