Rejection of Government's Inflation Statistics; Point Inflation Exceeds 68 Percent

While the Statistical Center of Iran and the Central Bank have reported inflation rates around 45 to 55 percent, the economic website 'ECO Iran' stated that the point inflation for Farvardin (the first month of the Iranian calendar) this year is nearing 70 percent. ECO Iran had previously reported, citing an informed source, that 'the monthly inflation in Farvardin 1402 is 5.2 percent, which indicates that the point inflation for the first month of 1402 is exactly 68.7 percent, very close to reaching 70 percent.' However, the government's information website denied ECO Iran's report, claiming that based on the Statistical Center's data, the point inflation is 55.5 percent. According to this economic website, comparing the index recorded in the first month of this year with the same period last year shows that the general price level has increased by approximately 68.6 percent. Abdolnaser Hemmati, former head of the Central Bank, reacted to these discrepancies in the statistics provided by the government in a tweet: 'Mr. President! According to the table published from the Central Bank's price index, the inflation for Farvardin 1402 has reached 69%! Please explain to the people with what information and analysis you confidently promised to halve and then bring inflation down to single digits during the 1400 elections? What actions have you taken to fulfill this promise?' On Farvardin 16 of this year, Ebrahim Raisi stated that the inflation rate remains above 40 percent due to reasons such as the 'removal of preferential currency,' saying: 'We will vigorously pursue the wise slogan of 1402 regarding controlling inflation and increasing production.' Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, named this year the year of 'controlling inflation and increasing production,' but according to statistics, the Iranian people are experiencing the highest level of inflation since World War II at the beginning of this year. Siamak Javadi: The only solution for the Islamic Republic to control inflation has been 'statistical manipulation.' Concerns in the parliament about the government's manipulation of inflation rates in Iran.