Iran International congressional reporter
The new CIA director John Ratcliffe is a vocal proponent of a firm stance against Iran who has called on Washington to follow Israel’s lead in dealing with Tehran.
Ratcliffe was the Director of National Intelligence during Trump's first term in office and a prominent voice on national security in the United States. He has said on many occasions that he sees the theocracy in Tehran as a grave threat to both US interests and stability in the Middle East.
In an interview with Fox News last November, Ratcliffe slammed the Obama administration’s approach to Iran, calling it naïve in its reliance on diplomacy to curb Tehran's ambitions.
That approach underestimates “the lethality and evil nature of the Iranian regime,” he said, backing in its stead, Donald Trump’s policy of maximum pressure. Perhaps more notably, he called on the US government to assist Israel in employing what he described as a foot-on-the-throat approach against Tehran.
Ratcliffe’s call for coordinated US-Israeli action against Iran underscores his belief that Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for regional armed groups are existential threats that demand forceful collective action.
This aligns him with those in the intelligence and foreign policy circles who reject diplomatic solutions and say the Islamic Republic responds to strength only. It could, however, point to a potential divergence with President Trump, who has indicated that he would seek a deal before considering other options.
Another disagreement between the two could emerge from the president’s decision to remove security details of former officials, including Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Brian Hook, who have allegedly faced death threats from Iran over their roles in Trump’s previous administration that killed IRGC’s top commander Qassem Soleimani.
This move has been criticized as dangerous, potentially leaving these individuals vulnerable to Tehran’s retaliation. It may not directly pertain to Ratcliffe’s policy stance on Iran, but it does suggest that Trump’s actions this term could not fully align with the hardline approach that both he and Ratcliffe have previously endorsed.
Overall, Ratcliffe’s stance on Iran is largely in harmony with President Trump’s, both championing a hardline approach, particularly on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The platforms, heavily advertised across Tehran, target lower-income individuals seeking to protect their dwindling savings amidst a falling currency that wipes out their cash savings.
With gold prices soaring to approximately 55 million rials per gram, many Iranians now find traditional methods of purchasing gold increasingly out of reach.
For decades, gold has served as a trusted form of savings and financial security, especially during economic crises. However, with the average worker earning just above 100 million rials per month ($130) and living costs rising sharply, purchasing even a small amount has become unattainable.
The platforms’ promise of affordability has drawn interest but also skepticism. Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the Judiciary, has warned that “fake sales and fraud are among the dangers lurking for gold buyers via online platforms.”
Public trust remains low, partly due to past scandals like the 2016 collapse of Samen Coins, a gold trading company that embezzled 150 trillion rials, devastating thousands of customers and deepening fears about the trustworthiness of online sales.
The company engaged in fake sales, selling assets it did not possess, leading to widespread financial losses. The scandal prompted public outrage and legal action, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of key figures. It also highlighted significant regulatory weaknesses in Iran's financial oversight, particularly of online trading platforms, and eroded public trust in such services.
The uncertainty about the platforms is further exacerbated by the relentless depreciation of the rial. Despite hopes that the dollar’s upward trend would stabilize following Donald Trump's comments of resolving Iran issue without military conflict, the US dollar has surged to approximately 850,000 rials, breaking new records. Economic expert Ali Sadeghin notes that while negotiations between Iran and the US remain uncertain, inflationary expectations continue to drive the dollar’s rise.
Sadeghin explained to Titre-Avval-e Eghtesad website, “If negative news is injected into the market, the dollar's price will move to a higher threshold. Overall, the dollar could rise above its current level.”
The broader impact of the economic crisis extends beyond finance. Sociology professor Zahra Ojagh observed that rising poverty and currency devaluation are eroding social trust and increasing conflict. “When a society becomes poorer, healthy interactions decline, leading to heightened mistrust and conflict,” she added.
“The increase in the price of certain medications has shocked the public, with three out of every ten people who enter a pharmacy choosing not to purchase their medication," said Hadi Ahmadi, a board member of the Iranian Pharmacists Association, on Sunday.
"Why should such a situation occur where people refuse to take their medication or cannot afford to buy it? Out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient treatments have risen and now exceed 50%."
Reports have highlighted the financial strain caused by medication price increases. According to Tasnim News Agency, medication costs have surged by up to 400% since the removal of subsidized foreign currency.
Labor union activists and retirees warn that these steep prices are putting essential treatments out of reach for many, including those at risk, as more than one third of Iran is now living below the poverty line.
Shahram Ghaffari, Deputy for Treatment at the Social Security Organization, said on Sunday that the Food and Drug Administration implemented the increases to address shortages and support producers.
However, he criticized the lack of coordination with insurance providers, which has left patients covering the full cost of the hikes.
"Prices were not updated in insurance systems," he explained, "resulting in significantly higher out-of-pocket costs."
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s 2025 budget reduces foreign currency allocations for essential goods by 20%, while increasing the subsidized exchange rate by 35%.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, already grappling with higher production costs, face significant challenges securing the resources they need.
The broader economic downturn has exacerbated the problem. Iran’s rial has lost nearly 40% of its value since September, further restricting the ability of the pharmaceutical sector to import raw materials.
Mehdi Pirsalehi, head of the Food and Drug Organization, said earlier in January that the government owes over $4.47 billion to pharmaceutical companies, with additional debts for medical equipment.
While Health Minister Mohammadreza Zafarghandi has promised to alleviate the burden by compensating insurance companies, critics argue the measures fall short.
The government’s elimination of a $9 billion subsidy for essential goods in 2022, which was introduced to counter earlier currency crises, is widely blamed for exacerbating inflation and shortages.
Now, as president Pezeshkian plans to reduce the allocation for importing essential goods—including agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials—to €12 billion, as outlined in the 2025 budget released in October, both patients and healthcare providers are bracing for a challenging year ahead as the new Iranian year approaches.
