{"id":6510,"date":"2019-05-02T18:16:09","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T15:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=6510"},"modified":"2019-05-02T18:16:09","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T15:16:09","slug":"zarif-on-leaving-the-npt-as-an-option-imf-predicts-a-40-inflation-rate-for-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/zarif-on-leaving-the-npt-as-an-option-imf-predicts-a-40-inflation-rate-for-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"Zarif on leaving the NPT as an option; IMF predicts a 40% inflation rate for Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Inflation or a psychological war?<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Tejarat online focuses on rising inflation and prices in Iran\u2019s economy, while highlighting the role of individuals in worsening this situation.
\nThere has been a 50% inflation rate increase in Iran\u2019s market since March, and it is not just the outcome of the US sanctions imposed on Iran\u2019s economy. These days, public concern over the future has resulted in inflation; people are rushing to the market to buy items such as foreign currency, gold, and cars. By doing so, they are disrupting the balance of supply and demand in the market.
\nThis is happening at the time when an economic war is being waged against Iran via the US sanctions, and there is a psychological operation underway to damage the country. For years, sociologists have warned against the weakening of social solidarity in Iranian society, as individual gains and pursuits weaken collective bonds and interests. Under such conditions, individuals only think of their own benefits, not caring for the destiny of other people.
\nThe hoarding of goods and foreign currency, as well as empty properties, are clear examples of this damaging cycle that has resulted in a rise in the inflation rate in the Iranian market. As such, personal gain has resulted in waves of unreal buyers who rush to the market for purchasing house appliances and cars, thus spiking the prices in the market. The same process is repeated in the foreign currency and gold market.
\nThere is no doubt that Iranians don\u2019t accept that their destiny is tied with each other, as a result, the wave of rising prices will continue, making 2019 a very tough year for all of them.
\nTejarat online \u2013 May 1<\/a><\/p>\n

Confrontation and negotiations wouldn\u2019t go together!<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Arman Emrooz depicts two viewpoints in Iran with regard to its relationship with world powers.
\nThe current factions within the Islamic Republic have always had different opinions with regard to foreign affairs, particularly when it comes to countering big powers and the global status quo. After the US maximum pressure strategy against Iran, these differences have remained, with each faction offering a different solution.
\nThe first viewpoint holds that the Islamic Republic can confront the United States in different fields, defeat it, and push it out of the region. On the other hand, there is a viewpoint that doesn\u2019t believe in confrontation, while it advocates a soft, low-cost confrontation policy with world powers.
\nThe advocates of this viewpoint want Iranians to have an ordinary and safe life without the need to inflict unnecessary costs and harms on them. They think that there is more justice in peace than war and that an ideological war will result in many to suffer.
\nWith the intensification of tensions between Iran and America, one of these two viewpoints will be proven to be right. During the upcoming months or years, it will become clear which one of the two is right particularly in ensuring Iran\u2019s long-term national interests.
\nWith an increase in the US pressure on Iran, it seems that the options are becoming more and more limited. Perhaps, before the harsh measures taken by the White House, it was possible to find a path for \u2018honorable talks\u2019. However, currently, it has become less likely to have such honorable negotiations.
\nArman Emrooz \u2013 April 30<\/a><\/p>\n

Workers are no longer happy!<\/strong><\/span>
\nAs we get closer to International Workers\u2019 Day on May 1, the editorial of Aftab Eghtessadi focuses on the deplorable working conditions of Iranian workers who have no job security and are losing their purchasing power day by day because of rising prices.
\nWorkers\u2019 Day is the day when workers must be happy and joyful. But under the current conditions, workers cannot be happy as they don\u2019t even know if they will continue in their jobs the day after or they will be fired. Under the current conditions, they cannot even be sure if they can even buy bread tomorrow.
\nMeanwhile, there are workers who still haven\u2019t received their wages from last year, and Iranian officials haven\u2019t listened to their grievances. On the other hand, privatization in Iran \u2013 due to mismanagement \u2013 could result in the closure of manufacturing units, which will eventually result in uncontrolled imports from foreign countries.
\nUS threats, moreover, disturb Iran\u2019s economy every day, and workers lose their purchasing power more and more. The sanctions must be used by the government to boost production in the country in order to replace its oil exports. If so, perhaps many who are suffering from unemployment can get a job, decreasing the number of unemployed.
\nIn these conditions, Iran should be looking for a way to save the country\u2019s economy rather than focusing on exporting its oil by evading US sanctions. In the year heralded as \u2018prosperity in production\u2019, workers shouldn\u2019t worry about being laid off, and manufacturing units need to employ more workers to decrease the rate of unemployment. This can become possible by government factories or workshops being privatized.
\nNow it is for statesmen to decide if the private sector can resolve the issue of unemployment or the decline in purchasing power. Otherwise, we will witness more workers being sacked or laid off.
\nAftab Eghtessadi \u2013 April 29<\/a><\/p>\n

The necessity of management under tough conditions<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Mardomsalari newspaper deals with the difficult conditions that currently exist in Iran, as well as the necessity of rebuilding public trust.
\nThis year will be tough and decisive for Iran because of the existing realities and harsh conditions that have been imposed on Iran. These conditions will become tougher if we don\u2019t understand their nature and try to resolve the issues through \u2018speech therapy\u2019 and making threats.
\nThe truth is that Iran is dealing with a country [the United States] whose President or administration doesn\u2019t recognize any rule or law and they cross redlines as well as bully others; at the same time, they do not recognize anyone else as having rights.
\nUnder such harsh conditions, Iran doesn\u2019t have any reliable friends. Other countries care for their own national interests, knowing that allying with Iran is not to their advantage. For example, Iraq \u2013 that owes its independence, existence and geographical unity to the sacrifices made by Iranian youth in recent years \u2013 increased its oil production recently to replace Iran in the global oil market.
\nIran\u2019s main problem under the current conditions is a lack of trust among its people. People\u2019s trust must be regained, as it is necessary for sustaining the country. To rebuild trust, it is necessary for all factions and groups to stand side by side.
\nWe must accept that revenge, resentment, and retaliation must end, as the issue at stake is the existence of Iran and Iranians. The officials and authorities cannot and should not disregard people\u2019s pain, hunger, joblessness, and helplessness. They must treat people kindly and with respect.
\nMardomsalari \u2013 April 28<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nZarif: Leaving NPT is one of our options<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that leaving the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT) is one of many options available to Iran.
\nIn response to a question from an IRIB reporter with regard to Iran exiting the NPT, Zarif said: \u201cThe options of the Islamic Republic are numerous, and exiting the NPT is one of them.\u201d
\nThe NPT was signed 49 years ago by many countries, to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to ensure the destruction of existing nuclear arsenals.
\nIsrael is not a member of the NPT, yet it says it hasn\u2019t threatened to destroy any other country. In addition to Israel, some countries like Pakistan that have reached military nuclear capability have not signed the NPT.
\nZarif\u2019s remarks were made one week after the news broke that the US might accuse Iran of violating the NPT.
\nA few days after the US Department of State released its 12-page annual report regarding the commitment of countries to their nuclear obligations, news agencies started analyzing the details mentioned in this report with regards to Iran.
\nThe report is to pave the way for the US administration to accuse Iran of violating the NPT and to increase pressure on the Islamic Republic.
\nIran had previously talked of leaving the NPT when the US pulled out of the nuclear deal and re-imposed oil sanctions against Iran.
\nLast year, Hossein Salami, who was the IRGC second-in-command at that time, said that the IRGC had proposed to the government to tell western officials that Iran would pull out of the nuclear deal and the NPT as well as that Iran would resume its nuclear activities without any restrictions. He added, \u201cWestern countries will then have to yield to our authority\u201d. Salami has been recently appointed as the IRGC commander.
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

Qassem Soleimani: Negotiation with the US means surrendering<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Commander of IRGC Quds Force Qassem Soleimani said the \u201cenemy\u201d is after forcing Iran to sit at the negotiation table by imposing economic pressures, stressing that \u201csuch a negotiation means total surrender\u201d.
\nSoleimani stressed that the people must know that \u201cnegotiation with the enemy under the current conditions means surrender, and we will never give in to such humiliation.\u201d
\nIran\u2019s parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, too, called negotiation with America \u201cna\u00efve\u201d and a \u201cstrategic mistake\u201d, asserting, \u201cThe US officials must know that they are dealing with a tough opponent\u201d.
\nIn recent days and particularly after the remarks of Iran\u2019sn Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about a possible prisoner swap between the Islamic Republic and the United States, the possibility of negotiations between the two countries has resurfaced. Meanwhile, Zarif\u2019s suggestion in this regard has been interpreted as a clear effort to create a communication channel with the White House.
\nJohn Bolton, the US National Security Advisor, reacted to Zarif\u2019s remarks, calling the accusations brought about by Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister \u201cridiculous\u201d. He called Zarif\u2019s interview a \u201cpropaganda\u201d that was carefully planned by the Islamic Republic\u2019s officials.
\nBolton added that the \u201cconcern\u201d of the Islamic Republic\u2019s officials shows that the US maximum pressure policy has been effective.
\nDeutche Welle<\/a><\/p>\n

Rouhani claims Iran has six hidden ways to export its oil<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has claimed that Iran has \u201csix ways\u201d for exporting its oil about which Americans know nothing about. \u201cWe must export oil; Iran\u2019s exports are not done via one way only,\u201d remarked Rouhani, \u201cwe have six other ways about which Americans know nothing at all.\u201d
\nHe emphasized that oil and gas exports have been a \u201clarge source of Forex income\u201d for Iran, Rouhani stressed he would not let the United States bring Iran\u2019s oil exports to zero. \u201cAmericans will see in the upcoming months that we will continue our oil exports,\u201d he asserted.
\nThe United States announced recently that it would not renew any of the sanctions waivers granted to the countries to buy oil from Iran, including China, India, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea.
\nPointing to those countries, Iran\u2019s President said some countries \u201cretreated\u201d in reaction to US pressure and this has led to more pressure from the US.
\nAccording to reports by Iran\u2019s Supreme Audit Court, 40% of Iran\u2019s economy is dependent on oil. Moreover, the oil used to contribute to 60 percent of Iran\u2019s exports before the US sanctions.
\nNonetheless, some of the Islamic Republic\u2019s authorities have claimed that the US refusal to renew sanctions waivers would not create any problems for the country\u2019s economy. They also believe that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cannot replace Iran\u2019s oil in the global markets.
\nRecently, the CEO of Iran National Oil Company said that foreign companies could receive crude oil for goods and products that they sell to Iran if they are willing to do so. Massoud Karbassian added that those companies that want to trade with Iran could invest in Iran\u2019s oil industry, and receive oil from Iran in return.
\nRadio Farda<\/a><\/p>\n

IMF predicts 40% inflation rate for Iran<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nJihad Azour, the Lebanese Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the Middle East and Central Asia, announced that due to the US sanctions on Iran\u2019s oil, the rate of inflation in this country might exceed 40%. This rate of inflation is the highest in Iran since 1980.
\nThe value of the Iranian rial vs the US dollar has already dropped about 70%. Azour said that economic recession is expected to continue for the second consecutive year in Iran, adding that the country\u2019s economic conditions will continue to deteriorate.
\nAccording to Azour, the intensification of the US sanctions and it not renewing waivers for buyers of Iran\u2019s oil will obviously make Iran\u2019s economy face deeper recession and will result in an increase in prices.
\nThe crisis in Iran\u2019s economy has culminated in a severe drop in the value of its national currency vs. foreign currencies. This process has intensified in recent days, resulting in a huge difference between the official prices of the US dollar and its price in the free market.
\nThe IMF, in its annual report on \u201cGlobal Economic Prospects\u201d which was published in early April, has predicted that Iran\u2019s economic growth would be minus 6%.
\nSome experts think it is possible that with the intensification of the US sanctions and its restrictions, that oil exports of the Islamic Republic will decrease more. Meanwhile, Iran\u2019s New Year budget has been drafted based on exporting 1.5 million bpd. Drop in oil exports to under 1 million bpd will create a severe budget deficit and shortage of foreign currency revenues for the Iranian government. If so, an increase in economic recession and a rise in inflation are not far from expectation.
\nDeutsche Welle<\/a>
\nRadio Zamaneh<\/a><\/p>\n

Tens of Iranian workers arrested on Workers\u2019 Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe gathering of workers on the International Workers\u2019 Day in front of the Iranian parliament building on May 1 turned violent, and many protesters were arrested. Independent workers unions had called for the gathering.
\nIn addition to workers, a number of teachers, students, and retirees also took part in the gathering as well. During the gathering, the protesters chanted slogans such as: \u201cThe government commits treason, the parliament supports it!\u201d, \u201cWorkers, teachers, students must unite!\u201d, and \u201cBread, work, freedom are our inalienable rights!\u201d
\nFair wages, job security, permanent contracts, payment of unpaid wages, the right to have unions and to hold gatherings were some of the main demands of the workers.
\nA few days earlier, another gathering held in a park in Tehran turned violent, and security forces arrested a number of labor activists. In recent weeks, there were reports of labor activists being threatened, summoned and arrested by security entities.
\nHosein Zolfaghari, the Security Deputy of the Interior Minister, had warned on the eve of the Workers\u2019 Day that workers\u2019 gatherings would not be allowed to enter the streets.
\nIn the past year and a half, there have been many workers\u2019 protests all over Iran, many of which ended with security and law enforcement forces interfering.
\nThe worker\u2019s issues are not limited to livelihood. As a result of a poor economy, they do not have job security. Each time a factory or a manufacturing unit is shut down, hundreds of workers lose their jobs. If workers protest against their poor condition, they face security charges.
\nDue to economic pressures in 2018-2019, many manufacturing units either shut down or are working with minimum capacity.
\nDeutsche Welle<\/a>
\nBBC Persian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Inflation or a psychological war? The editorial of Tejarat online focuses on rising inflation and prices in Iran\u2019s economy, while highlighting the role of individuals in worsening this situation. There has been a 50% inflation rate increase in Iran\u2019s market since March, and it is not just the outcome of the US sanctions imposed on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[3063,3064,3062,12,1637,2534,39,3065],"class_list":["post-6510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-3063","tag-40-inflation","tag-imf-predicts","tag-iran","tag-iran-in-a-week","tag-npt","tag-zarif","tag-zarif-on-leaving-the-npt-as-an-option-imf-predicts-a-40-inflation-rate-for-iran"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6510"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6516,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6510\/revisions\/6516"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}