Iran Parliament rejects Rouhani explanation of economic difficulties

The Iranian Parliament has rejected explanations provided by President Hassan Rouhani about the causes of the country’s current economic hardship.

Rouhani answered five questions asked by lawmakers related to sanctions on the banking sector, unemployment, economic recession, the declining exchange rate of the Iranian currency and goods smuggling.

In his response, he said the current economic problems emerged with the reinstatement of US sanctions on Iran, warning that “painting a bleak picture of people’s lives will lead to further darkness”.

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After Rouhani’s answers, the lawmakers voted that they were not convinced by the president’s answers to four out of the five questions.

State television reported that the parliament has referred the issues to the judiciary which will investigate them.

Protests intensified in several Iranian provinces earlier this month demanding improving living conditions and jobs.

Iran protests in January 2018 – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]