Publish Date: 23 May 2013 - 22:58

Iranian Principlist presidential candidate Ali Akbar Velayati has criticized the high inflation rate in the country, saying runaway market prices are unacceptable.

Speaking in the northern city of Gorgan, the capital of Golestan Province, the senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution vowed to form a “strong administration” with the support of the Iranian people.

He blamed certain elements for the decline in the purchasing power of consumers and criticized the growing volume of imports from China at the expense of domestic producers.

The presidential candidate pointed to high unemployment rate in the country and said the figure has surpassed 20 percent in some provinces which could lead to societal problems.


Velayati emphasized that the next administration must work very hard to win back market and public confidence.

Earlier this week, Iran’s Interior Ministry published a list of eight candidates approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country’s 11th presidential election slated for June 14.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.