Samt Newspaper highlights systemic dysfunction in Iran’s economy amid deepening inflation, sanctions, and investment decline. In a striking report on September 22, Samt Newspaper painted a grim picture of Iran’s economic trajectory, declaring that “all engines of economic growth” in the country have ground to a halt. Unattainable Targets in the Seventh Development PlanIran’s Seventh Development Plan sets an ambitious target of 8 percent annual economic growth. Echoing these warnings, Samt cited economist Vahid Shaqaqi-Shahri, who described Iran’s growth engines as working in “reverse.” He stressed that even achieving zero growth would count as an achievement under current circumstances. The oil sector, long considered Iran’s economic backbone, is also underperforming.