Iran faces 'chronic challenges' beyond US sanctions
"External factors do affect our economy, but there are problems persisting from before," Larijani said at a press conference.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani gives a press conference in the capital Tehran on December 3, 2018
Recommended articles
![Malaysia military helicopters crash. [The Social Being, X]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Malaysia military helicopters crash. [The Social Being, X]")
He listed a number of challenges, including "big, costly government", high interest rates that "disrupt production", cash-strapped pension funds and a water crisis.
Parliament's research centre had "repeatedly warned" of these challenges, Larijani said, but the government has yet to respond on key issues.
The United States' decision in May to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions on Iran has added another layer of difficulty.
ADVERTISEMENT
The International Monetary Fund says the Iranian economy will contract by 1.5 percent in 2018 and 3.6 percent is 2019, largely due to reduced oil sales caused by the renewed sanctions.
Larijani is an influential insider who was previously seen as deeply conservative but has lately forged a close working relationship with the moderate faction led by President Hassan Rouhani.
He dismissed US President Donald Trump's offer to open fresh negotiations on a new deal.
"We hear two types of rhetoric from the US president -- some cheap words and some talk on the side that they are ready for negotiation," he said.
"Didn't we negotiate? When a country doesn't stand by international accords, how can we trust them?"
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
FG presents 1,437 metric tonnes food commodities to Niger Govt
Jimoh Ibrahim warns Tinubu about danger of not dropping ministers accused of corruption
EFCC to arraign Sirika and his daughter on Thursday over ₦2.7bn fraud
Fubara's loyalist, Jumbo emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker
Reps want military joint taskforce to flush out criminals in Niger
Okomu Oil Palm threatens to shut down operations due to militant invasions
Delta Assembly confirms appointment of Governor Oborevwori’s 5 nominees
Reps form committee to probe death of 4-year-old at Brickhall school
FCT residents choose ponmo, crayfish for protein amid soaring meat, fish prices
Pulse Sports
DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France
ADVERTISEMENT
