TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian hard-liners have launched a new attack on the administration of President Hassan Rouhani, this time focusing on the country’s automotive industry. At an Oct. 25 parliamentary hearing, the Industries and Mines Committee grilled Industry, Mines and Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh over a deal he made last month with the French automaker Renault. Nematzadeh also came under fire over a controversial decision that critics say led to the import of 400 BMW, Toyota, Volvo and Honda vehicles manufactured in the United States, in contravention of guidelines barring the import of American-made cars.
Citing member of parliament Mohsen Kouhkan, the Young Journalists Club — an affiliate of conservative-controlled Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting — reported that the responses by Nematzadeh and the CEOs of two leading carmakers, Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) and SAIPA — who appeared with Nematzadeh — will now be reviewed by the parliament’s presiding board.
