The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), Iran is experiencing its worst economic situation in a century. Ebrahim Raisi’s new administration has promised to fix Iran’s economic problems. The question is whether this cabinet is capable of resolving Iran’s complex interconnected challenges.

The expansion of monopolies

“An issue that has very much worried people is the expansion of monopolies within our country’s economy which is evident in Raisi’s government,” the state-run Jahan-e Sanat reported on October 19, implying increased corruption. “In other words, instead of making our economic environment more competitive, we are witnessing the rise of monopolies, which has greatly worried economic actors about their future,” the daily added.

The Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have traditionally dominated Iran’s economy. Raisi’s administration, on the other hand, is full of IRGC commanders and Khamenei’s inner circle members whose sole mission is to pillage Iran’s national resources and keep the regime in power.  Raisi himself was the administrator of Astan-e Quds Razavi, one of Iran’s most venerable financial and religious institutions.

 

4 institutions that control 60 percent of the national wealth

In September 2019, Behzad Nabavi, a former government minister who served in different administrations, underlined that in Iran, “there are four institutions that control 60 percent of the national wealth. This includes Executive Headquarters of Imam’s Directive (Setad), Khatam-ol-Anbiya Base, Astan-e Quds, and Foundation of the Oppressed and Disabled.”

The Khatam Headquarters contracting services function as a massive mediator between the government and small engineering and technical firms, who have a significant amount of their profits stolen by Khatam. Many of these businesses were acquired unilaterally or by intimidation and force.

Khatam also has significant operations in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors. For example, it is in charge of the South Pars oil and gas field’s Phase 15 and 16 developments.

 

 

The situation seems even more dangerous

“Three months after the inauguration of Raisi, Iran’s economy has not changed. In some cases, the situation seems even more dangerous,” wrote the state-run Hamdeli daily on October 19.

One of these dangerous issues is the rising inflation rate, which has a direct impact on people’s lives.

“The latest situation of macroeconomic indicators shows that the 12-month inflation leading up to September has reached nearly 60 percent, and food and beverage inflation has reached more than 73 percent. The increasing inflation is unprecedented in four decades after the Islamic Revolution.

The result of such complicated conditions is the shrinking of the people’s table and the dire living conditions of the poor and the middle class,” wrote the state-run Farhikhtegan daily.

 

 

Iran’s economic problems

These facts demonstrate once again that Ebrahim Raisi and his ilk will not solve Iran’s economic problems. Iran’s persistent economic crises have thrown the country’s society into disarray.

People from all backgrounds protest on a regular basis in Iran. They have learned that Raisi’s empty pledges are part of the regime’s manipulative attempts to delay another great rebellion.

The administration’s continuous corruption, as well as its catastrophic effects on people’s lives, has created a threat to the regime.

 

 

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