Iran’s hardline parliament has begun impeachment proceedings against the country’s economy minister, Abdolnasser Hemmati, despite calls for unity from the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
The process began on the day Iran’s rial sank to a record low against the dollar, making it the world’s least valuable currency. Despite Iran’s large oil reserves, sanctions and underinvestment have made it a net importer of petrol.
The falling rial has led to soaring energy price rises, high inflation and regular power shortages while the government struggles to pay its bills.
There have been strikes this week over unpaid wages in the state-run oil industry and railways, and in the textile, telecoms and healthcare sectors.
Nighttime protests are spreading, with crowds in Tehran and neighbouring Karaj setting fire to cars and calling for the overthrow of the Ayatollah.
The regime has responded with a surge in arrests and executions. On Monday Revolutionary Guard leaders threatened missile attacks on Israel and the United States.
