Iranian MPs impeach industry minister over price hikes | World News

Iran’s parliament voted to remove its industry minister in an impeachment session on Sunday as the Islamic Republic’s economy reeled under the weight of international sanctions and prices soared.

Reza Fatemi Amin failed to secure enough support in the confidence vote, with 162 MPs voting in favor of his removal and 102 against.

It is the second time he has faced such a vote in parliament on the same issue, after his 182-vote majority in November meant he remained in the post.

A major factor in the new impeachment is the rise in the price of domestically produced cars after foreign imports dried up due to sanctions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Last year, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on major policies, criticized the high prices and low quality of domestically produced products, including cars.

Sunday’s vote comes amid an economy under Western sanctions, rampant inflation and a sharp rise in the rial against the dollar since then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions. Hit by record depreciation.

President Ibrahim Raisi defended the minister ahead of the vote, urging “the management of the ministry to remain stable”.

And Fatemi Amin himself argues: “The auto industry is based on assembly and localization, so it has problems with the ebb and flow of sanctions.”

But MP Lotfollah Siahkali accused the minister of reporting wrong figures to the president on the industry’s growth.

“If there is growth, why don’t we see it in people’s lives?” he asked, adding that the ministry should leave the auto industry to the private sector.

Such votes are passed with a simple majority in parliament.

Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced the result of the vote during a meeting broadcast live on state television.