15/10/2026
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15/10/2026
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Unemployment and job losses force Iranians to sell food on the streets
TEHRAN, Oct 15: Former Iranian Labour Minister Hojjat Abdolmaleki has drawn widespread criticism and ridicule after saying Iran has no economic problems other than high prices and inflation, as official figures cited in local reports put year-on-year inflation at 89.8%.
Abdolmaleki, an economics professor who served under former president Ebrahim Raisi, made the remarks in a recent interview with state television. A video of the interview circulated widely online over the past two days.
“In the economy, the issue is only and only high prices and inflation,” Abdolmaleki said. “Set high prices aside and you have no other economic problems… We have no problems, praised be God.”
His comments prompted criticism from reformist, moderate and conservative voices, with critics arguing that the statement oversimplified the country's economic difficulties and overlooked the effects of currency instability, political developments and disruptions to businesses.
The former minister has previously faced criticism over his comments on inflation and internet restrictions. In August, he reportedly said rising prices were attributable by less than one percent to the war and regional conditions.
He has also dismissed claims that internet disruptions have caused job losses, arguing that online sellers could move their businesses to domestic platforms. Critics countered that switching platforms does not guarantee that businesses will retain their customers, income or employees.
Criticism crosses political lines
The latest remarks drew reactions from commentators across Iran's political spectrum.
The conservative news website Khabar Online published the video under the headline, “Abdolmaleki’s Great Discovery About Iran’s Economy: Erase the Problem from the Equation to Solve It!”
Bamdadeno, an online media outlet active primarily on Instagram and Telegram, compared his argument to claiming that poverty disappears when poverty is disregarded and unemployment ceases to be a problem when unemployment is ignored.
The outlet said the concern went beyond an unusual remark, arguing that decisions affecting employment, livelihoods and the welfare of millions of Iranians had previously been shaped by similar oversimplifications.
Conservative political activist Rouhollah Jome’i also responded sarcastically, referring to Abdolmaleki’s association with hardline groups known as “super-revolutionaries.”
Journalist Mohammad Parsi used a similar line of reasoning to highlight other problems facing the country, including internet filtering, medicine shortages and fuel difficulties.
“This satire becomes bitter when we remember that this man was once a minister in this country and made decisions on our behalf!” Parsi wrote.
Social media users also drew comparisons with water shortages, electricity cuts and problems in the automotive sector, questioning the suggestion that economic difficulties could be dismissed by setting aside their most visible symptoms.
Inflation adds to household pressures
The remarks came amid persistent inflationary pressures in Iran, with official figures cited in local reports showing year-on-year inflation reaching 89.8% last month, an increase of 0.8 percentage points.
Annual inflation reportedly rose from 69.9% in August to 73.6% in September, according to figures attributed to Iran’s Statistical Centre.
Food and beverage prices recorded particularly steep increases, with the prices of some items, including cooking oil, rising by more than 250% compared with a year earlier.
Housing rents, which recorded the lowest rate of increase among the 12 main categories in the household consumption basket, nevertheless rose by more than 30% year on year.
The figures point to continuing pressure on household budgets and purchasing power, providing the backdrop to the former minister’s remarks that, apart from high prices and inflation, Iran’s economy has no other problems.