Iran International
Debate has erupted in Iran over President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, with politicians, clerics and commentators split on whether he should meet Donald Trump or avoid the risk.
“Economic growth requires prerequisites such as a favorable business environment, sound economic governance, access to technology and adequate financing. Each of these can be likened to an engine powering growth. The problem is that none of these engines are running,” wrote the paper, which covers industry, mining and trade.
According to the report, the government’s latest decree estimates Iran would need nearly 80 quadrillion rials (about $80 billion) in combined private, public and cooperative investment in the current Iranian year (started on March 21) to hit the 8% target, factoring in capital depreciation, labor contributions and productivity gains. Current financing plans leave a shortfall of about 27.9 quadrillion rials (about $28 billion).
The report listed funding sources ranging from banks and capital markets to foreign investment, the sovereign wealth fund and private savings. But it warned that reliance on public budgets and banks alone is insufficient.
Economist Vahid Shaghaghi-Shahri told the paper: “At present all our engines of economic growth have not only stalled but are working in reverse. In this context, even preventing negative growth should be considered an achievement.”
He cited housing, oil revenues and productivity as sectors in decline, while financial channels needed to supply about $200 billion annually are blocked by sanctions, low investor confidence and structural weaknesses.
Another economist, Mehdi Pazouki, argued that “without economic health no rational investor will commit to Iran.”
He said previous development programs had all set 8% growth targets that were never achieved. “When energy shortages restrict production and the business climate is hostile, such a goal is at best rhetorical,” he told the paper.
Both experts stressed the need for international engagement and domestic reforms. Pazouki said: “For meaningful growth we must first restore international relations and improve the business environment. Otherwise, capital will continue to flow abroad instead of into domestic industry.”
The report comes amid starkly different official data. Iran’s Central Bank recently announced growth of more than 3% in 2024, comparing Iran favorably to the US and eurozone, while the IMF in May projected growth of just 0.3% this year with inflation topping 43%.
Independent analysts say power shortages, a plunging rial and tighter US sanctions have pushed the economy toward stagnation.
Shaghaghi warned that unless Iran activates its “engines of growth,” negative GDP growth could emerge as early as 2026. “It is better to set realistic goals in line with our economic conditions and avoid rhetorical targets,” he said.
Under Shi'ite law, a man can have four permanent wives simultaneously and any number of temporary wives. He needs his first wife’s consent for additional permanent marriages, but not for temporary ones.
Women, by contrast, can only enter one temporary marriage at a time and, after termination, must wait at least 45 days before remarrying to establish paternity if pregnant.
“I don’t know a single woman around me who would agree to a temporary marriage, unless she is involved with a married man and wants to protect herself from being charged with adultery if discovered,” said Taraneh, an art teacher in Tehran.
“In these cases, it’s more a formality than religiosity. Just like an affair, they hide it from everyone, even their family and friends.”
Taraneh explained that stigma is deeply rooted. The longstanding association between temporary marriage and prostitution, she said, reinforces secrecy and social judgment, especially against women.
“But in some poorer rural areas I’ve visited, it is somehow more common for widowed or divorced women who are unable to financially support themselves to marry temporarily with men whose wives will not allow them to officially take second wives,” she added.
“However, even these are normally longer-term and not publicized. Everyone considers very short-term temporary marriages shameful because of the money involved."
Temporary marriage in Shi'ite Islam
Under Shi'ite Islamic law, temporary marriage, known in Persian as sigheh or mut‘ah, is a marriage contract with a set duration. The term may last from a few hours to several years, depending on the agreement.
The contract is usually verbal and consists of the man and woman (or their representatives) reciting a formula (sigheh) that specifies the agreed duration and a predetermined dowry (mahr). Witnesses are not required for it to be valid.
Since 2013, temporary marriage has been legally recognized in Iran, though registration is only required if a child is conceived.
If registered or witnessed, temporary marriage allows recognition of children and provide some legal security to women. Once the term ends, the marriage automatically dissolves without requiring divorce proceedings.
Children are legally recognized, with inheritance and custody rights, though complications often arise if the marriage is not officially registered.
Unlike permanent marriage, a woman in temporary marriage is not entitled to alimony after expiration and has no right of inheritance from her temporary husband.
Widows and divorced women may enter temporary marriage without paternal consent. Unmarried girls, however, need their father’s approval, as in permanent marriage. The minimum legal age for girls is 13, fueling concern about child marriage in poor areas.
Sunni Islam does not recognize temporary marriage.
Sex trade in disguise
Islamic jurists describe temporary marriage as a legitimate solution to sexual needs and a safeguard against prostitution.
Although prostitution is explicitly criminalized and punishable in Iran, sigheh still enjoys legal backing, and its broad interpretations have created a religious-legal loophole that paves the way for exploitation.
The sex trade often operates under the guise of temporary marriage. This is especially visible in religious cities such as Mashhad and Qom, pilgrimage hubs where millions travel each year.
Since its legal recognition, numerous social media channels have openly advertised temporary marriage, offering arrangements from “one-hour to longer terms,” for fixed fees.
Even clerics who accept the principle of sigheh criticize this trend. They argue that it normalizes polygamy or masks prostitution.
“Can you believe that some ignorant, clueless people have set up [Telegram] channels to promote polygamy and temporary marriage? They claim they are reviving the Prophet’s tradition!" wrote cleric Ehsan Ebadi on X.
"Curse on you—you have understood neither the Prophet, nor Islam, nor the philosophy behind these rulings. All you are doing is tarnishing the image of religious people."
Javan newspaper, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, reported on September 20 that the growth of online channels and pages under the titles of matchmaking and sigheh-finding has turned into a platform for fraud and exploitation of users.
“The rapid increase of these channels is a serious alarm bell for society.”
Here are ten of the sharpest takes.
1. Make history
Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi:
“If Pezeshkian wishes to be remembered honorably by history, this is the time for it.”One reader commented: “Should he seek authorization to negotiate—or permission to surrender?”
2. Last chance for diplomacy
Political commentator Ali Bigdeli:
“Pezeshkian’s presence in New York is Iran’s last chance for diplomacy. If he goes empty-handed, he would be better off staying home than attending the UNGA.”
3. Only if Trump asks
Former lawmaker Ali Motahari:
“If Trump asks for a meeting with Pezeshkian, our president should accept for the sake of national interests, despite Trump’s hypocrisy and lies. Perhaps Trump’s ambition to take credit for everything could work in Iran’s favor.”
4. Negotiation is fantasy
Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, head of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization:
“Holding talks with Trump and similar ideas are fantasy. This is a precious opportunity to tell the world about the 12-day war with Israel and to make clear that Iran was attacked while pursuing peaceful negotiations.”
5. Don’t count on China, Russia
Political commentator Qasem Mohebali:
“It is wise to reach an agreement with the West now. We can renegotiate later from a position of strength. The most China and Russia would do for us is preserve the status quo.”
6. Seek the Leader’s backing
Reformist figure Mohammad Atrianfar:
“If Pezeshkian wants to change the current trajectory of negotiations, he must create a turning point by doing something new. If he secures Khamenei’s backing, he could even hold direct talks with Trump and seize the opportunity to serve the country’s interests.”
7. Don’t meet E3 leaders
Conservative commentator Nasser Imani:
“Pezeshkian should strictly avoid meetings with the leaders of the three countries that activated the trigger mechanism against Iran … The US and European leaders undermined not only international law but also the very organizations they themselves created.”
8. Avert UN sanctions
An editorial in the moderate daily Ham Mihan:
“(We should) not take the risky path toward sanctions. It is not true that it can do no further harm … We are masters of wasting time and missing opportunities.”
9. Do what you believe is right
Another Ham Mihan editorial:
“Do what you honestly believe is essential for the public good and the country’s survival. Never think in terms of personal interests. Do not fear criticism, and avoid later saying you wanted to act differently but were not allowed.”
10. For a picture only
Hardline figure Abdollah Ganji, former editor of the IRGC’s Javan daily:
“Two countries that have fought each other—and one of them has imposed over 3,000 sanctions on the other—cannot negotiate like this.”
Ganji branded moderates “shameless,” accusing them of seeking to put Pezeshkian “in the same picture with Trump for a moment regardless of the result.”
