Iranian MP Says Identifying Poverty Culprits ‘Secondary Concern’

An Iranian lawmaker says identifying the culprits behind the livelihood pressure on citizens is a “secondary concern” and should not be “exploited by media opportunism”.

Referring to the alarming impoverishment of one-third of the Iranian population, Mohsen Pirhadi, the vice-chairman of the parliamentary committee for Iran’s Seventh National Development Plan said on Wednesday, "The rise in the country's population who live below the poverty line to 28 million is not solely attributable to policies implemented in the last two or three years."

Despite launching 12 development plans since the 1940s, aimed at building infrastructure, establishing key industries, and expanding public services and education, Iran still remains classified as a developing country, with an average economic growth rate of only 2.5 percent during the Islamic Republic.

Pirhadi further added that the impoverishment of such a significant portion of the population is a complex issue that “cannot be reduced to individual actions or political labels. Instead, it necessitates an in-depth examination and reevaluation of policies that have contributed to the economic decline of a substantial section of society.”

The "poverty line" in Iran represents the income level that covers the minimum essential needs of a household, with incomes below this line categorized as "absolute poverty." According to Iranian officials, the poverty line for residents of Tehran is approximately 300,000,000 rials (approx $600) per month, which is three times the minimum wage in Iran.

Like the other regime officials, he denied that the issue of widespread impoverishment is due to recent policies but said it is instead a result of various factors, including sanctions, the devaluation of the national currency, and management inefficiencies, which have accumulated over the past decade.