The average gross annual cost of running an urban Iranian household has doubled in the past five years, according to the latest statistics released by the Islamic Republic Central Bank.
ISNA reported on Sunday that the doubling of household costs is mainly a result of rising prices for housing, energy and utilities, which have seen a 30-percent increase.
While the Ahmadinejad administration has taken part of the blame because of its “wrong” economic policies, Iran’s Supreme Leader has blamed rising prices and market upheavals on “domestic and foreign conspiracies.”
Recent reports indicate that the price of fruit and poultry has risen by more than 100 percent.
Many Iranian political figures, including members of the clergy, have been speaking out against the rising prices, but the administration has been ineffective in addressing the problem.