Iran's presidential candidates have been vying for voter support with assertions that sometimes verge on the absurd.
One of the six candidates, Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, said, "Under this administration, we have eliminated food poverty completely."
"Every Iranian now receives between 1,900 to 2,100 calories daily through our support programs," he claimed.
However, investigations by IranWire reveal a starkly different reality. Far from diminishing, food poverty has worsened during Ebrahim Raisi's presidency, as indicated by reports showing an increase in the number of Iranians living below the poverty line.
According to a documented report by the Parliament Research Center, "half of Iran's population consumes less than the recommended 2,100 calories per day."
The report attributes this decline in calorie intake primarily to rising food prices and increased household expenses such as housing, exacerbated by an ailing economy.
In response to these findings, the Ministry of Labor, Cooperation, and Social Welfare acknowledged "the decrease in calorie consumption among Iranians," but attributed it to global food inflation affecting multiple nations.
The Ministry outlined efforts to enhance food security, including initiatives to support programs for mothers and young children.
However, it refrained from affirming that all Iranians receive the claimed 2,100 calories daily.
Misleading Claims: Economic Growth Under Rouhani's Administration
Presidential candidate Saeed Jalili recently asserted that economic growth remained stagnant or negative throughout President Rouhani's tenure.
While Iran faced its lowest growth rates in decades post-revolution during the 2010s, not all years under Rouhani's governance experienced zero or negative growth.
Upon assuming office amidst a 3 percent contraction, Rouhani's policies initially led to significant economic recovery, marking some of the highest growth rates in recent history.
Yet, the resurgence of sanctions and intense American pressure later reversed these gains, resulting in sporadic periods of economic decline.
Nevertheless, Rouhani's term concluded in 2021 with a 3.6 percent growth rate, shaping the economic landscape handed over to President Ebrahim Raisi.
Fact-Checking Misleading Claims on Knowledge-Based Exports
Mehdi Safari, advisor to presidential candidate Saeed Jalili, recently claimed that Iran's knowledge-based exports have surged to five billion dollars, a figure purportedly representing a tenfold increase over the past three years.
However, this assertion is both inaccurate and misleading.
According to Amirhossein Mirabadi, head of the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Development Organization, Iran's actual knowledge-based exports in 2023 amounted to around two billion dollars, significantly lower than the claimed five billion.
Moreover, comparing these figures to 2021, a year heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic slowdown, distorts the reality of Iran's export achievements.
Ruhollah Astiri, Director General of the International Business Development Office, reported that Iran's knowledge-based exports in 2020 stood at approximately 700 million dollars.
Disputed Claims on Detained Journalists' Complaints
Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, a candidate in the presidential election, recently asserted that detained journalists have private complaints against them.
In the televised program, Ghalibaf said, "I have never filed a complaint to any media or person - the public prosecutor does it."
However, his remarks were swiftly contradicted.
Lawyer Ali Mojtahedzadeh reacted on X, writing, "Mr. Ghalibaf's account of his dealings with the media is not honest."
"In a case where I represented ... he had filed complaints against several journalists and media personally."
Imprisoned journalist Yashar Soltani also published an image of a complaint filed by Ghalibaf against him, emphasizing that Ghalibaf has been constantly filing complaints against him.
Saba Azarpeik, an imprisoned Iranian journalist, suffered a miscarriage and lost her two-month-old fetus after being taken from prison to the hospital due to heavy bleeding this week.
The 42-year-old journalist was imprisoned due to complaints from Ghalibaf and MP Mohsen Dehnavi over publishing "falsehoods, defamation, and threats."
Misleading Promises on Education Budget Allocation
Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, a presidential candidate, has made a promise to allocate 30 percent of the public budget to education.
However, this pledge appears impractical and potentially misleading given current legislative frameworks and budgetary realities.
Despite aligning himself with the goals of Ebrahim Raisi's administration, Ghazizadeh Hashemi faces scrutiny over his promise, especially regarding actual budget allocations to education during the Raisi administration.
Under the Raisi administration, the Ministry of Education has not only failed to see increased budgets but has encountered reductions, exacerbating operational challenges.
In fiscal terms, the share of the education budget has notably declined from 10.57 percent in 2023 to 9.83 percent in 2024.
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