Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said government officials should take steps to offset economic hardships,�Etemaad�newspaper reported.
Iranians are struggling with inflation and unemployment, Larijani said. �It isn�t in the nation�s interest for people to endure more economic pressure,� he said, according to Etemaad.

Iran�s rial has lost as much as 40 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar on the street market and costs have soared as a result of tighter U.S. and European Union sanctions.

�Even at a time of sanctions, if we use all the existing skills and aim for local production certainly inflation will lessen and jobs will be created,� he told a rally in the central city of Natanz, according to the Tehran-based newspaper.

Iranians will elect a new president in June and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is ineligible for a third consecutive term. Larijani, who has been critical of the president�s policies, is seen as a potential candidate in the race.

By Bloomberg

 

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