Leader of Islamic Ummah Oppressed Imam Khamenei urges Rouhani to crack down on corruption

The Leader had made the remarks on July 15 in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members. Part of his remarks has been just published in the media.

When someone commits an offense, give an incisive reponse, he ordered the cabinet. Ayatollah Khamenei then touched upon some companies who have abused the fixed exchange currency rate, saying that the government should follow up on these cases.

Elseweher he praised the president’s order to deal with the offences committed in importing foreign vehicles as a good measure, adding that people would greatly welcome such actions and the country would further develop because of it. The Leader then urged all officials to fight corruption in earnest.

As US sanctions loom, Iran’s currency, rial, is experiencing its lowest value in history. The administration introduced a fixed exchange rate in April to control the market. However, this measure encouraged some traders to profiteer by charging higher black market prices for goods they imported with dollars bought at the lower official rate. Meanwhile, there are some traders who have stocked their imported products to sell them with a higher price in future. Officials have repeatedly warned that they will seriously fight these disrupting moves.

On Sunday, Iran’s Judiciary spokesman said that twenty-nine people have been arrested on charges of ‘economic disruption’ and will be soon put on trial. Also, Tehran Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi said Tuesday that 35 people have so far been arrested in connection with seven big corruption cases regarding gold coins, currency and imported automobiles.