As the economy takes center stage in the U.S. presidential election, an even more contentious economic debate is developing in Tehran. Though elections are almost nine months away (currently scheduled for June 12, 2009), tensions over the state of fiscal affairs have already risen to the point that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei felt it necessary to interject and call for civility.

Iran's new central bank governor has warned the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over money supply growth, urging measures to prevent a further rise in inflation, the press reported Thursday.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday denied speculation that foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki was to become the latest casualty of changes to his conservative government.

Iran's new central bank chief Monday warned foreign banks that have cut business with Tehran amid the ongoing dispute over its nuclear program that they would lose out if they returned to the country.

A former economy minister took over as head of Iran's central bank Wednesday, as part of a wide-ranging reshuffle by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of his top economic policy team, state media said.

Swiss Economics Minister Pascal Couchepin arrived in Tehran on October 6 at the head of a high-ranking government and business delegation for talks on economic and political ties in the aftermath of the September 11 anti-U.S.