In the upmarket neighbourhoods of northern Tehran, where women in Hermes headscarves can be seen driving their Mercedes past high-walled mansions, one would hardly guess that Iran's economy is in trouble.

But growth is slowing, inflation has spiralled beyond 20 per cent and unemployment remains a problem. These challenges, and the difficulties they are creating for ordinary Iranians, will be at the forefront of many voters' minds as they head to the polls today for parliamentary elections.