A rare public clash unfolded in Tehran as Abolfazl Rojani Galfaijani, head of the chamber’s industry committee, openly warned Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Speaking before business leaders, he said that “time for denial is over,” stressing that the country cannot “fight forever” without devastating social and economic costs.

Galfaijani cautioned that failure to reengage in negotiations would unleash a surge of unemployment and popular anger, calling it nothing less than an “army of unemployed.” His unusually direct rebuke reflects growing frustration among Iran’s business elite as sanctions and economic stagnation push the regime into a dangerous confrontation with domestic realities.