Iran: Military Budget Rises by 70% Despite Extreme Poverty

For the year March 2017 to March 2018, Iran’s budget bill is expected to be heavy on military funding. This is despite the record lows regarding currencies. The budget bill is currently under review in Iran’s parliament. 

Iran’s currency plunged on 26th December last year raising concerns that the country’s economy was in danger. Reports say that the street value of the rial hit 41,500 to the dollar on 26th December. Just three months previous to this, it was worth 35,570.

Analysts say that the budget bill is worth approximately $106 billion. 

$6.57 billion will be allocated to the Ministry of Defence and its affiliated entities such as the Armed Forces Social Welfare Organization, MoD Counterintelligence, Defensive Research, MoD Ideological/Political Organization, Armed Forces Geographical Organization and Malek Ashtar University.

$7.01 billion will be allocated to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated entities such as counterintelligence, Supreme Leader representative office in the IRGC, paramilitary Basij militia, Imam Hossein University and the IRGC Officers College.

$2.24 billion will be allocated to the Army Joint Chiefs of Staff and affiliated entities.

$891 million will be allocated to the Armed Forces Chief of Staff and affiliated entities.

$3.29 billion will be allocated to intelligence services and police.

$1.41 billion will be allocated to efforts in exporting terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism.

$3.1 billion will be allocated to the “Shaheed (Martyr) Foundation”.

The biggest increase compared to Iran’s current budget is the funds allocated to the IRGC. It is being increased by 55% from $4.52 billion to $7.01 billion.

While Rouhani has been the President of Iran, military spending has gone through the roof. The budget for military has increased by 70%. The 2014 budget was $9.29 billion and is going up to $15.9 billion in the 2017 budget. 

The regime’s priorities are astounding. How can the regime neglect its own people who are suffering the consequences of very low employment, terrible living and social conditions and extreme poverty? And how can the so-called “moderate” President Rouhani let the country’s involvement in Syria take precedence over his own country?