Iranian parliament not convinced by Rouhani’s answers on economic issues

Tabnak – Being under heavy criticism over the unfavorable economic situation of the country, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani went to the parliament today to answer the questions raised by the MPs. Voting results after his speech shows that the MP’s have not been convinced by the president’s answers.

During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, lawmakers posed questions on the Rouhani administration’s handling of the country’s economic issues, including a high unemployment rate, slow economic growth and a devaluation of Iran’s currency as well as goods and currency smuggling.

The lawmakers are also critical of the continuation of banking sanctions against Tehran despite the 2015 nuclear deal -- under which those restrictions should no longer exit.

Responding to the lawmakers' questions, Rouhani defended his administration’s performance in two rounds. However, based on the results of a vote conducted at the end of the session, the MPs were not convinced with the president's answers on four out of the five questions raised. They only found the president's response to the issue of banking sanctions satisfying.

According to the law, the questions will be referred to the country’s Judiciary to deal with the issue.

This comes as the legislature has already impeached and sacked the labor and economy ministers. Rouhani has come under pressure for poor handling of the economic situation that has resulted in a hike in the value of foreign currencies and diminishing purchasing power.

The Iranian money has plunged to a record low against the US dollar in recent weeks. Foreign currency values began to rise in Iran after the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May and announced plans for a fresh wave of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

First assuming power in 2013, President Rouhani's “Prudence and Hope” government has been credited with clinching the historical nuclear accord with world states only two years later.

The agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), relieved the country of nuclear-related sanctions – including those imposed by the US -- and was subsequently endorsed in the form of a UN Security Council resolution.

In May, however, the US left the deal in clear breach of its international obligations, and reinstated sanctions against Iran as part of its fresh campaign of economic pressure. A first round of the bans came in force earlier this month, while the second batch is due to take effect in early November.