IRGC Calls for Iran Administration’s Action on Economic Woes

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In a letter to President Hassan Rouhani, IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari reminded the administration of its duties to organize the economy while it is enjoying support from the Iranians.

The commander said that the strong support for Rouhani’s administration in recent weeks from all those caring about the Islamic Revolution should not prevent the cabinet from taking “revolutionary action” in order to avert a sharp rise in the prices and the value of currency and gold coin amid the “economic war” launched by the enemies.

He also recommended that the president vent his well-known anger at the shortcomings and mismanagement of the economy by his own administration.

“Making major decisions in the current tough situation in order to counter the enemies’ economic pressures requires revolutionary resolve and firm action against idleness and weakness of certain managers, so that people would feel hopeful about your administration’s prudent management (of the situation),” Major General Jafari added.

Stressing the need for closer coordination among the administration-run sectors, the commander assured the president of support from all revolutionary forces, and said that people are impatient to see revolutionary decisions by their president.

While Iran’s market has experienced a hike in the value of foreign currencies and gold coin prices in recent months, the Iranian money has plunged to a record low against the US dollar in the unofficial market, which is being offered for as much as 120,000 rials.

Iranian gold coin price has also rocketed up, hitting 45 million rials.

The price of “Spring of Freedom” gold coin, minted by the Central Bank of Iran, has almost doubled in the past two months.

Foreign currency values began to rise in Iran after the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May and announced plans for a fresh wave of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

There has been growing demand for dollars among ordinary Iranians, who fear more plunge in the value of their assets and growing price of goods, even those not imported from abroad.

The purchasing power of Iranians has plummeted for the umpteenth time in recent months as wage increases have lagged far behind prices.

In comments this month, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei reiterated the need for Europe to guarantee Iran’s economic benefits under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but underscored that the country’s economy should not hinge on the fate of the nuclear deal.

In a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members, the Leader called for a “road map to stable economy” in order to resolve the economic woes.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the administration to bolster the private sector and take strong punitive action against wrongdoers, saying offenders in any position must be brought to justice.

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