Despite the oil windfall it reaped as crude surged to $147 a barrel in July, economists say Iran has not saved enough to maintain spending levels now the price has tumbled to $50 and, due to sanctions, has limited prospects for borrowing abroad. The timing is particularly uncomfortable for Ahmadinejad, who has staked his presidency on sharing out Iran’s oil wealth more fairly and made frequent tours of the provinces where he doled out cash. He is expected to seek a new term in the June presidential election.
