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TEHRAN - Iran's central bank governor has resigned, media reports are saying today.
The move is being seen by analysts as part of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's shake-up of his economic team to tighten a grip on policy before a March parliamentary election.
A former economy minister is expected to be appointed as the new central bank chief, replacing Ebrahim Sheibani who analysts said differed with the president over interest rate policy. Sheibani's fate had been subject to weeks of rumours.
Ahmadinejad, who critics blame for policies that have fuelled inflation, changed his oil and industry ministers this month, a step analysts said aimed to ensure unity among top economic officials before the March vote.
Both ministers, like Sheibani, had differed with the president on his policy matters, the analysts said.
- REUTERS
