Officials have warned of a crackdown against those who disrupt order and break the law with the aim of making easy money and destabilizing the market. "Keeping an eye on profiteers, illegal foreign currency peddlers and those seeking to fish in troubled waters in the present economic situation is on the agenda" Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in remarks carried by ISNA on Tuesday.
They will not be allowed to abuse the situation which has been exacerbated by media propaganda and psychological warfare, he said.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on Monday to rally against rising prices and the sinking national currency, which has been caused in part by US President Donald Trump's withdrawal last month from the Iran nuclear deal. The rial has plunged to record lows against the US dollar on the unofficial market in recent days, continuing its slide amid fears of new US sanctions.
Economic Security
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Tuesday that those who plan to undermine financial and economic stability should be dealt with severely. In a speech at a ceremony marking Judiciary Week, he called on judicial officials to take necessary measures so that those who attempt to manipulate the market cannot get away with their crimes, ISNA reported.
The judiciary has a responsibility to help protect economic security by foiling plots designed to scare away investors, the official said.
Severe Warning
Judiciary chief, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, told the same meeting that the enemy is spreading false information to create chaos in the country by disrupting the market.
He condemned unnamed "economic saboteurs" trying to harm the economy and said they will be brought to justice and face severe punishment, according to the judiciary's news agency Mizan Online. Amoli Larijani went on to say that those destabilizing the nation economy could be executed if they are convicted of "corruption on earth", a capital offense under Iran’s criminal code. The senior official acknowledged that domestic economic problems, such as liquidity issues, have worsened and called for practical measures to improve the livelihood and welfare of the masses.
