Iran's Former Presidential Aide Assaulted Amidst Robbery Wave

The recent spate of mobile phone and wallet thefts in Iran has reached a new level with an assault on Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former chief of staff to President Mohammad Khatami. 

Abtahi took to his Instagram page to detail the incident, revealing that motorcyclists with a "polished appearance" and a "high-end motorcycle" attempted to steal his phone. 

Abtahi said he resisted the theft, sustaining an injured eyebrow requiring ten stitches and a chest injury.

This attack comes amidst a string of similar thefts targeting prominent figures in Iran. 

Footballers Ali Daei and Ahmadreza Abedzadeh have also reportedly had their phones stolen.

While acknowledging the rise in thefts, police commander Ahmadreza Radan refrained from commenting on their potential link to Iran's economic struggles. 

In an interview on March 21, he emphasized the use of "electronic means" to control and monitor a "significant number of these criminals."

However, official data from the Iranian Statistics Center paints a concerning picture. 

The "misery index," a measure combining inflation and unemployment, is rising across many Iranian provinces.

Soaring inflation, high unemployment, deepening poverty, and a declining national currency all contribute to this index, suggesting a worsening quality of life for many citizens.

Critics argue that the authorities are focusing on increased police presence and stricter judicial measures rather than addressing the root causes of poverty-driven crimes.