In an illuminating address at the Luigi Einaudi Foundation in Torino, Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), scrutinized the severe economic and social conditions plaguing Iran.
In an illuminating address at the Luigi Einaudi Foundation in Torino, Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), scrutinized the severe economic and social conditions plaguing Iran. The crisis, she argued, has been aggravated by the country’s ruling clerical regime’s ill-conceived policies.
Rajavi’s speech confronted a critical question—why, despite Iran’s abundant resources, is the regime failing to alleviate the rampant socio-economic discontent? She attributed this failure to the misuse of half of Iran’s GDP by companies and foundations linked to the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Not only do these organizations escape taxation, but their substantial profits also remain detached from the broader economy, leading to a near-collapse of Iran’s banking system.
Indeed, the conditions for overthrowing the regime are at hand. Khamenei is at an impasse with no room to maneuver. There is no solution for the multitude of unanswered social demands. The protests have already risen from under the ashes of the #Coronavirus. #NCRIAlternative pic.twitter.com/N7rOPNlvyb
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) July 22, 2021
Rajavi underscored the resulting economic fallout, including a negligible growth rate, a budget deficit exceeding 50%, and an inflation rate of around 70%. She highlighted further crises such as high unemployment, the depletion of the National Development Fund, and increased expenditures on nuclear and missile programs, terrorism, and the environment.
Her discourse reflected on a socio-economic landscape reminiscent of a collapsing religious dictatorship, where the regime’s thirst for power perpetually impoverishes its citizens, igniting increasing discontent.
Even state-affiliated economists admit to the grim reality facing Iran. According to ECO Iran, statistics from the Central Bank demonstrate a sharp 34% decline in per capita income since the 2010s. The construction sector has seen a 42% drop in added value, while per capita exports and imports have declined by 22% and 78% respectively.
Moreover, the Iranian government’s purported inflation rate of 40% is widely disputed. State-run news agency ILNA revealed the actual figure is closer to 120%, causing the standard of living in Iran to mirror that of the world’s poorest nations.
Watch and judge how a former official slams #Khamenei over the dire socio-economic crises in #Iran pic.twitter.com/qHEIBNT0P9
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 9, 2023
Masoud Nili, a senior state-affiliated economist, warns of an “impossible to manage” economy if the persistently high inflation isn’t curbed. State-affiliated sociologist Dr. Azad Armaki also hinted at a potential political system collapse similar to the Shah regime’s demise, sparking heated debates within the Islamic Republic.
Growing dissatisfaction is sparking civil unrest, with thousands of Iranians rallying for change. The organized Iranian Resistance continues to urge international unity against the oppressive regime, arguing that change would serve not only Iran but also countries beyond its borders.
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