Clerical rule behind Iran’s economic struggle

Imprisoned critic of Iran's Islamic government, Mostafa Tajzadeh, has accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of fueling poverty and corruption in a letter written from Tehran's Evin Prison.

“After 35 years of Khamenei's rule, Iranians enjoy neither development nor prosperity; they have neither freedom nor justice,” he said in his letter shared with several media outlets.

Frequently described as a reformist, the activist’s letter follows the issuance of an additional six-year prison sentence by Tehran's Revolutionary Court.

In his letter, Tajzadeh argued the country’s economic struggles and international isolation stem from Khamenei's anti-American policies and his aggressive regional strategy, which is centered on the so-called Resistance Front.

The letter painted a grim picture of Iran’s trajectory, with the activist saying that systemic failures have eroded national sovereignty and public trust.

He argued that Khamenei’s leadership style—marked by suppression of dissent and reliance on a loyalist minority—has created a governance crisis.

He emphasized that the issues facing Iran are deeply entrenched in Khamenei’s policies, warning that no government could succeed under the current approach.

Tajzadeh also called for the removal of the Supreme Leader’s role from Iran’s Constitution, describing it as a harmful innovation deviating from Shia traditions.

He framed this change as essential for enabling democratic governance and resolving Iran’s enduring challenges.

Tajzadeh’s comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among Iranian civil society, marked by years of protests and dissent.