Senior clerics have called on authorities to address the worsening economic problems and crack down on lawbreakers who have contributed to the unprecedented chaos in diverse industrial and commercial sectors.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem-Shirazi said the people are not satisfied with the government's handling of the economic problems and urged those in charge to take practical measures to improve the situation, ISNA reported.
"Meeting basic needs has become very difficult [for the people] because of galloping inflation and rising prices. People acknowledge that foreign sanctions have put the economy under pressure. But they also ask why changes have not taken place in the Cabinet. Why experienced economic experts are not reached out to."
President Hassan Rouhani, whose administration is grappling with a declining economy, a sliding currency and rising public discontent that have stirred street protests, recently replaced the governor of the central bank following mounting pressure from his supporters and political opponents to reshuffle his Cabinet. It is believed that more heads will roll in the coming days.
Rouhani, who reduced tensions with the West by striking a nuclear deal in 2015, is facing a growing backlash since US President Donald Trump pulled out from the pact in May and said he was reimposing sanctions that would throttle Iran's economy, including its oil exports.
Judiciary Singled Out
Makarem-Shirazi also singled out the judiciary and its pathetic performance in dealing with avaricious middle men, the army of speculators and corrupt officials. He called on the law dispensing government branch to deal severely with corrupt people who are exacerbating the economic crisis so that others would learn a lesson and dare not disrupt order or break the law.
People want "brave" judges who can and will decisively and quickly put an end to the current unacceptable situation created by such people, he said.
The senior preacher urge the people to maintain their unity, saying, "Those who incite the people from outside the country are sworn enemies who are thirsty for our blood…We should not pay attention to their mischievous acts."
Traitors
Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri-Hamedani said on Thursday that economic saboteurs who are trying to harm the country by taking undue advantage of the critical situation are "traitors" who should be brought to justice and handed out severe punishments.
"Officials in charge of the economy should talk to the people honestly. If they are assured that there is no discrimination and injustice and that officials are doing all they can, they will certainly resist the sanctions and support the (ruling) establishment and the revolution as they always have," ISNA quoted him as telling a group of seminary students.
Elaborating on the gravity of the situation, the cleric said, "The masses are suffering. Most of their day to day problems have nothing to do with the sanctions and can be resolved with proper management and strict control over prices.”
In recent days, Friday prayers leaders and religious preachers have called on the judiciary to deal effectively with those found guilty of economic malpractice.
