Khamenei Apologizes for Iran State Shortcomings Amid Discontent

(Bloomberg) -- Iran's supreme leader extended a rare apology on behalf of the Islamic Republic amid signs of public discontent in recent months, saying authorities need to work harder at establishing justice in the country.

“People have complaints about some of the country's existing issues” and officials “well aware,” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday, according to the state-run Mehr news agency. The public's criticism “is not only directed at the government, the parliament and judiciary. Maybe some also criticize me.”

The Islamic Republic has known progress in the past decade but it's “behind when it comes to justice,” Khamenei told an audience of Iranians from the northern city of Tabriz. “We need to apologize to people and to God” and “work at doing better in this area too.”

The remarks by the country's highest authority were a rare acknowledgment that popular discontent -- as apparent in angry protests that erupted in several cities in December -- may not have been restricted to the realm of economic issues or limited to president Hassan Rouhani's administration but a sign of frustration with the political establishment's shortcomings.

Rouhani's government, now in its fifth year, has faced unprecedented scrutiny from ordinary Iranians losing patience with a lack of improvement in their living standards despite Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, which eased international sanctions in 2016.

For a look at how Iran tries to halt slide in its currency, click here.

Frustration over economic woes from inflation to youth unemployment was made worse when details of this Iranian fiscal year's draft budget were leaked, revealing millions of dollars allocated to state-linked religious and ideological institutions, prompting an outcry over inequality and injustice.

Still, Iranians' criticism “does not contradict” their support for “the Islamic and revolutionary regime which was established on the back of their sacrifice, Khamenei said. He referred to last week's 39th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, which saw hundreds of thousands take part in state-organized rallies to mark the occasion.

Khamenei said last month that some anti-government protesters had “rightful” grievances while others may have been taken advantage of by dissidents seeking to undermine the republic.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ladane Nasseri in Dubai at lnasseri@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Todd White, Bruce Stanley

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