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Iran: Protests in several cities over authorities’ decision to increase food prices

Hundreds of people took to the streets of many of his cities Iran to express their dissatisfaction with the decision of the authorities to increase their price foodbroadcast on Friday night (13/5) the official agency Irna.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi announced this week a series of measures to address the country’s economic woes, such as the abolition of subsidies on wheat and the increase in the price of hundreds of other species, such as oil.

In the last two days, demonstrations have been organized in many cities. The measures came into force yesterday, Friday.

More than 20 people were arrested in Dezful and Yasoujwhere protesters called on the government to reverse its decision, according to the agency. In Izeh, in the province of Khuzestan, some people attacked shops and tried to set fire to a mosque.

Demonstrations took place in other cities as well as in the province of Tehran.

The Iranian economy is under pressure due to US sanctions. Inflation is around 40%, according to official figures. On Monday, Rice said the government would review the system of subsidies that cover many basic necessities. The price of bread, gasoline and medicines will not increase, he assured.

To deal with the price increase, $ 10-13 in “compensation” will be granted each month to each member of low-income families. For some residents of the capital, however, this allowance is minimal. “New prices have reduced my family’s purchasing power (…) Food, fruit and other commodity prices have risen,” a mother, Azadeh, 43, told AFP.

The price of oil almost quadrupled after the announcement of the president, while the price of eggs and chicken doubled.

Mohammad, a 40-year-old private sector worker, said prices changed “from hour to hour”. “How to live like this?”

Following Rice’s announcement, many rushed to the supermarket to buy groceries, according to videos posted on social media sites and footage shown on television.

Source: News Beast

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