Jafarzadeh Imenabadi, a former member of Iran’s regime parliament, spoke candidly on Sunday during a conversation with the state-run daily Khabar Online, admitting to the widespread poverty and poor quality of life among the populace. He warned the regime about the growing discontent among the nation, highlighting the explosive conditions within society.
In his speech, he addressed various hardships faced by the people: “People are encountering difficulties in accessing medical treatment, obtaining protein-rich food, and securing housing.”
“The skyrocketing prices of goods, the fluctuating dollar exchange rate, and the soaring costs of medicines, protein-rich foods, clothing, and education are stark indicators of the worsening situation. Meat prices have surged to over 800 thousand tomans. People’s livelihoods are being devastated, not merely constrained.”
He cautioned about the volatile and inflammatory atmosphere prevailing in society: “Public discontent is evident towards Tehran Municipality and various government ministries. There’s growing frustration even among the ministry staff. There are reports of discontent and even cursing towards the minister in the Ministry of Economy, a scenario unheard of in the past.”
Imenabadi criticized the ostentatious and disconnected nature of the regime’s president, particularly his highly-guarded visits to different parts of the country: “Raisi travels to cities with a large entourage of 400 to 500 bodyguards, yet claims to be mingling with the people. He should dispatch teams to pharmacies and markets instead. His disconnected approach is evident when anyone who criticizes him is swiftly silenced.”
However, Imenabadi isn’t the only one within the regime warning about the critical state of the country and society.
Lotfollah Siahkali, another member of the regime’s parliament, warned about the exploitation of the people by Raisi’s government and the soaring exchange rates that may soon hit 100,000 tomans per dollar, potentially leading to an economic collapse: “If the currency reaches 90 to 100 thousand tomans, it will mark the collapse of the economy. People’s pockets are already drained; they have nothing left.”
He illustrated the dire situation: “Some say their pots are empty; others say their pots have holes in them. In my opinion, people’s pockets have been metaphorically pierced. Previously, we could draw from people’s pockets; now, it’s no longer feasible.”
Etemad, a state-run daily, quoted Massoud Nili, a regime economic expert, who highlighted the rampant inflation and poor quality of employment as major macroeconomic challenges: “The high-income class has slipped into the middle class, and the middle class into poverty.”
Another indicator of the country’s dire economic conditions is the regime’s Central Bank’s inability to provide sufficient dollars for imports.
The Central Bank’s claims of timely and adequate foreign currency supply for essential imports faced criticism from economic activists. A member of the Chamber of Commerce delegation revealed that economic activists had been waiting for foreign currency allocation for months.
According to Eghtesad Online, Dawood Rangi, another member of the Chamber of Commerce delegation, disclosed that foreign currency allocation for basic goods imports had been halted for a month.
Kaveh Zargaran, also part of the Chamber of Commerce delegation, stated: “Economic activists have been waiting for currency allocation for five months.”
Acquiring currency has become a major hurdle for the Islamic Republic, especially with the US sanctions limiting access to oil and non-oil export dollars. Iraq’s cooperation with the US Treasury has further complicated matters by cutting off the Islamic Republic’s access to Iraqi dollars.
Experts predict that with recent sanctions intensification and the looming possibility of broader European Union sanctions against Iran, the economic situation for the Islamic Republic, particularly in terms of foreign exchange reserves, will deteriorate further.
