Gholam-Ali Jafarzadeh Aminadadi, a former member of the regime’s parliament, has voiced concerns about the economic hardships faced by various segments of society under the Raisi administration. In an interview with the state-affiliated news outlet Khabar Online on April 20, Aminadadi highlighted the struggles of Iranians, warning of simmering discontent that could lead to an explosion in society.
Acknowledging the widespread poverty and economic hardship gripping various segments of the population under President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration, Aminadadi said, “People are facing difficulties in the healthcare sector, in procuring protein-rich foods, and in securing housing.”
He highlighted the soaring prices of goods, the fluctuating exchange rates, the escalating costs of medications, protein-rich foods, clothing, and education. Citing Ebrahim Raisi, he said, “One has to ask himself, what was the cost of living when I ran for president, and what is it now? People are being pushed to the brink! The price of meat has soared to over 800,000 tomans. People’s tables are not shrinking; they’re catching fire.”
#Iran News in Brief
“Once we fail to quell the restive population, the wave of dissent turns into a devastating flood and wouldn’t make an exception," State-Affiliated Expert Amanullah Qaraie-Moghadam warned officials on Nov.11.#IranRevoIution2022 https://t.co/LBJUvg8PrH pic.twitter.com/zAr2aiRM9L— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 12, 2022
Drawing attention to the volatile and explosive societal environment in state-run centers, he warned, “People are dissatisfied in the Tehran Municipality, in government ministries; the minister is even at odds with his own staff. You don’t hear anything from the Ministry of Economy. I have reliable information that people are cursing the minister over there. It is unprecedented that a minister has been cursed inside the government ministries.”
He then turned his focus to the lavish and promotional travels of President Raisi, adding, “Raisi travels to cities with 400 or 500 guards, then claims he’s mingling with the people. Mr. Raisi, send one team to pharmacies and another to markets; go stand in line at four butcher shops, and everything will become clear to you. Unfortunately, I must say, he travels to cities with 400 or 500 guards and then claims he’s among the people. But when someone in the crowd is going to speak up, contradicting Raisi, those around him silence the person.”
#Iran News in Brief
The exposure by a member of the regime’s parliament that a substantial security detail of several hundred personnel has been assigned to accompany the Iranian regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi during his official trip to Parand, has caused some internal feud… pic.twitter.com/IEoLFUtpV1— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 26, 2023