Prices skyrocket as sanctions affect ordinary Iranians

Tehran: Some worry about higher food prices, some fret about overseas travel and others about business, but it is clear that ordinary Iranians are feeling the effects of sanctions imposed over Tehran's nuclear programme.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has scoffed at US sanctions as "pathetic" and said a UN resolution had no more worth than a "used handkerchief" and, although some Iranians backed their leader's tough position, others were fearful for the future.

The latest measures are mainly aimed at vital sectors of the economy such as banking and energy, which analysts say will raise the cost of trade by making it more difficult to transfer funds or insure cargoes. In shops and markets, people say they are struggling to cope, squeezed by soaring rents and grocery bills on the one hand and stagnant salaries on the other.

"Prices go up as soon as there is talk of sanctions. The nation is paying a heavy price for the nuclear dispute," said an English teacher in Tehran, who asked not to be identified.

"Do the officials know how difficult it has become for ordinary people to even feed their children?" said the 45-year-old father of two, who earns $400 (Dh1,468) per month.

Architect Mohammad Sadati, 36, was also in no doubt about the cause of the rising prices.

"As soon as there is talk about the possibility of new sanctions against Iran, the price of everything goes up," he said.

Mahtab Heshmati said she was worried by the prospect of Iran's international isolation.

"I have two children studying abroad. I hope sanctions will not isolate Iran in a way that we will not be able to fly abroad and see our children," she said.