Iran’s judiciary warned on Monday that it would pursue and punish individuals accused of disrupting the country’s economic system, as authorities face mounting pressure from a collapsing currency, high inflation and widening public unrest.
Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said those whose actions increase pressure on people’s livelihoods – whether deliberately or not – would be warned and, if they persist, prosecuted, according to remarks carried by state media.
“Those who, knowingly or unknowingly, put added pressure on people and their livelihoods and effectively move in the direction of the enemy’s objectives must be cautioned,” Ejei said. “If they do not heed these warnings, they must be seriously pursued and punished by the relevant authorities.”
Ejei framed economic disruptions as part of what he described as coordinated “psychological and economic pressure” by Iran’s adversaries, saying judicial authorities must respond decisively.
He cited laws allowing harsh penalties for acts deemed to constitute “corruption on earth,” a charge that can carry the death penalty, including in cases of large-scale economic disruption.
He said penalties such as fines were insufficient in the current climate. “These fines are not deterrent,” Ejei said, calling for punishments proportionate to current conditions.
The judiciary chief also stressed that responsibility extended beyond traders to officials who enable economic violations. He warned that individuals inside government bodies who facilitate hoarding, smuggling or currency abuses would face prosecution.
Addressing currency volatility, Ejei said authorities must identify those responsible for market instability.
He cited figures from central bank officials indicating that around $18 billion in export revenues had not been returned to the country.
The warning comes amid sharp falls in the rial, accelerating inflation and protests by shopkeepers in Tehran over rising costs and economic mismanagement.
