Bahmani predicted inflation would fall in early 2012.
Inflation has risen steadily since hitting a 25-year low of 8.8 percent in August 2010 and some economists say it could accelerate following government moves to slash subsidies on essential goods.
Iran’s economy is facing hardship because of sanctions imposed over its disputed nuclear program, which many countries fear is a cover for building bombs. Iran says its nuclear work is aimed at generating power to meet booming demand.
Bahmani said in August that the country would see inflation fall in coming months, hoping that the figure would fall into single digits within one year.
Iran started to phase out subsidies on food and fuel in December 2010. The price of gasoline rose seven-fold overnight when the cuts were made. Electricity, gas, water and food have also shown sharp rises.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied the policy will fuel inflation and lead to economic hardship and says poorer Iranians will be net beneficiaries thanks to direct subsidy payments.
Economists have said the subsidy reform — much needed to avoid wasteful use of resources — — risks causing runaway inflation but that measures to rein in price pressures could suffocate Iran’s economy.
“This inflation rate is partially caused due to the implementation of the subsidy reform law,” Bahmani said.
Many Iranians believe real inflation is much higher than the official figure and some clerics and lawmakers have accused the government of providing false figures.