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Iran's Currency in Free Fall; Ahmadinejad Blames US

He cites 'psychological pressures,' but his critics aren't buying it

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 2, 2012 11:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – People holding Iranian rials, including Iranians themselves, can't seem to get rid of them fast enough. The value of the currency has continued its drop, plummeting 40% against the dollar in the last week alone, reports the New York Times. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blames "psychological pressures" brought on by Western sanctions, but his political rivals say his government's mismanagement is mostly to blame, and they may rub it in by forcing him to submit to questioning by lawmakers, reports the AP.

"Are these (currency) fluctuations because of economic problems? The answer is no," said Ahmadinejad. "Is this because of government policies? Never. ... It's due to psychological pressures. It's a psychological battle." Meanwhile, Business Insider take a look at "why everyone and their mothers are buying" a different currency: the Mexican peso, thanks to steady industrial growth.

An Iranian street money changer holds Iranian banknotes with a portrait of late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, in the main old Bazaar of Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian street money changer holds Iranian banknotes with a portrait of late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, in the main old Bazaar of Tehran, Iran.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Skrybe
Oct 3, 2012 9:09 AM CDT
The responses to this story are why I totally love America. For sure.
George-Jetson
Oct 2, 2012 7:52 PM CDT
The blame lands squarely at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's feet. He's kept his country broke & hungry, yet Forbes says his net worth is $5m.
BCS
Oct 2, 2012 5:27 PM CDT
Hilarious! hahahaaha 60% think so Yeah it's real funny that the average citizen in Iran can't afford food, fuel, clothing, or medication. It's their fault that the government is pursing nuclear energy. It's so much worse for Iran to possibly have one 1940's style atomic bomb in a couple years, than it is for Pakistan to have 300 modern nuclear weapons with high tech delivery systems all while they're facilities are surrounded by extremist islamic groups. Maybe if the US military, and NATO didn't show a pattern of only invading countries that didn't have nuclear weapons, then Iran wouldn't try to make one.
 

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