Iran's Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has told President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to control
inflation, state media reported Sunday.
Since Ahmadinejad's presidency, inflation in Iran has officially risen
to 26 per cent - unofficially even higher - and has caused serious difficulties
for Iranians.
Ahmadinejad has tried unsuccessfully in recent months to redirect subsidies
towards the neediest social strata. Khamenei supported the measure, but added
that the plan should not lead to further inflation.
Ahmadinejad should not only plan until the next presidential elections in June
2009, but act as if he would remain in office for another four-year term, the
supreme leader said.
The president's economic policies have sparked criticism from the opposition
and within his own political camp.
The central bank has already had to slash four zeros from newly-issued bank
notes as a result of rising inflation.
Khamenei, who according to the Iranian constitution has the
final say on all state affairs, has stated that he supports Ahmadinejad's
policies in principle, but he has on several occasions cautioned the president
on inflation, calling it "one of the people's main problems.", dpa
reported.