By Jubin Katiraie

Re-imposed US sanctions are crashing Iran’s economy, and the people of Iran are struggling to afford basic goods. More unrest is expected. In fact, as Iran’s rial collapsed, vendors of the thousands of shops in Tehran’s sprawling Grand Bazaar, — traditionally a gauge of the national mood — have spoken out against the government, internal politics, and corruption.

Iran’s lower and middle classes make up the majority of the population. Their discontent highlights the dangers ahead for the government of President Hassan Rouhani. Many expect this year to be worse than last as protests over the economy continue.

Iran Focus

London, 4 Jan – A senior influential ayatollah and top Shiite cleric in Iran claimed on January 3 that Iran has seen 400 years’ worth of progress in the 40 years since the 1979 revolution.

Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, 87, told Iran’s conservative Student News Agency (ISNA): “In these 40 years 400 years’ worth of service has been rendered to this country and we have had 400 years’ worth of growth and progress; technology, gadgets, various equipment, population and lifestyle, and now it is totally different from the past”.

Iran Focus

London, 4 Jan – Iranian oil exports have fallen sharply and exports of other items from Iran have dropped by more than half because of US sanctions, according to economic data released this week by Iranian officials.

Between November 21 and December 22, Iran’s export of non-oil goods only amounted to a total of $1.867 billion, less than half the monthly average during the current fiscal year, which began on March 21. The biggest reason for this is the complete halt in exports of ultra-light oil (gas condensate) sales, which Iran lists under non-oil exports. This export averaged about $330 million (or one-seventh of the total drop).