Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been forced to concede that international sanctions against Iran's energy sector are hurting the country's economy.

Facing growing discontent over soaring food prices, the Iranian president accused the West of waging "an all-out, hidden, heavy war" that had impeded Tehran's ability to export oil.

"There are barriers in transferring money, there are barriers in selling oil," he said in a live television talk show.