Abbas Ghodarzi, spokesperson for the parliament presidium, denied reports about a 50% increase in the salaries of members of parliament and, citing the Budget Law, said: “Members of parliament, like other employees, have received the pay increase approved in the Budget Law at the beginning of the year, and at this time no amount has been added to MPs’ salaries.”

He went on to say: “After the enemy’s defeat in the military arena, it has turned to cognitive warfare and psychological operations, and is trying to create a rift between the people and officials; a policy that has been pursued for a long time with the aim of influencing public opinion and creating distrust.”