Mehrdad Sepahvand
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“Although hope has clearly weakened, it has not completely disappeared. So the situation around is not as bad as we imagine.”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand assessed the overall sentiment in Iran despite economic pressures.
“We should be a little bit cautious about the view that the Iranian economy is simply on the verge of collapse,”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand pushed back on the idea that Iran's economy is on the verge of collapse, speaking to CNBC's Dan Murphy on "Access Middle East."
“The UAE is one of the main Iranian financial gateways,”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand explained the importance of the UAE as a financial channel for Iran after it halted trade ties.
“Shops are still full of food and basic goods, and there is no sign of panic buying,”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand described the current state of goods availability in Iran despite sanctions.
“The hardliners in the state are actually taking advantage of the situation, and that makes things harder [to reach] an agreement with the U.S.”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand argued that economic pressure is strengthening hardliners and complicating a potential deal with the U.S.
“Despite serious imbalances in the banking system and even severe cyberattacks, public confidence in the banking system has not collapsed, and we have not seen any major run on banks,”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand commented on the stability of the Iranian banking system despite sanctions and cyberattacks.
“Our estimation is about minus-5% for now, and [UAE's sanctions] may worsen the situation.”
Mehrdad Sepahvand · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Sepahvand estimated the impact of the UAE's decision on Iran's economic contraction this year.