Iran cleric urges steps to counter high prices, Shargh reports

Bloomberg: A senior cleric called on Iran’s Islamic establishment to counter the effects of high prices partly caused by international sanctions, Shargh reported. Bloomberg

By Ladane Nasseri

A senior cleric called on Iran’s Islamic establishment to counter the effects of high prices partly caused by international sanctions, Shargh reported.

High prices are caused by the sanctions as well as local businesses seeking to profit from the rising value of the dollar by increasing their prices, and the government’s inability to ease the pressure on poorer families through “sound management, correct investment in production and job opportunities for youth,” Ayatollah Nasser Makarem-Shirazi was quoted as saying by the Tehran-based newspaper.

Makarem-Shirazi said Iran’s problems can’t be addressed by “denial, force, pressure and presenting incorrect economic indicators.” He said failure to tackle them may lead people to “doubt the essence of the revolution.”