The Iranian parliament dismissed Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati due to concerns over soaring inflation and a declining currency, following a vote where 182 lawmakers supported his removal. The rial’s value has significantly decreased against the US dollar amid ongoing economic turmoil tied to international sanctions. President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Hemmati, emphasizing that the economic issues cannot be solely attributed to one individual.
On Sunday, the Iranian parliament dismissed Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati following an impeachment linked to rising inflation and a declining currency. State television reported that Hemmati lost a vote of confidence, with 182 out of 273 voting lawmakers supporting his removal. This action reflects the ongoing economic crisis affecting Iran, exacerbated by years of international sanctions and the fallout from the 2015 nuclear deal withdrawal by the United States.
In the black market, the Iranian rial had plunged to more than 920,000 to the US dollar, a staggering increase from just under 600,000 in mid-2024. President Masoud Pezeshkian previously defended Hemmati, noting the broader context of the economic difficulties faced by the country: “We are in a full-scale [economic] war with the enemy…the economic problems of today’s society are not related to one person and we cannot blame it all on one person.”
During the parliamentary sessions, lawmakers expressed their frustrations, repeatedly chastising Hemmati and attributing the nation’s economic adversities to his policies. The sentiments reflect a growing discontent among legislators regarding the government’s handling of fiscal matters amidst significant hardship for the Iranian populace.
The Iranian parliament’s decision to sack Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati underscores the gravity of the economic crisis plaguing the nation. With soaring inflation and a sharply depreciating currency, the socioeconomic landscape demands urgent solutions. The parliamentary discourse reveals a clear frustration from lawmakers over the economic policies that have led to these dire circumstances, indicative of a government grappling with significant internal and external challenges.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
