Hundreds of people took to the streets of many cities in Iran to express their dissatisfaction with the authorities’ decision to increase the price of food, the official Irna news agency reported tonight.
The President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi announced this week a series of measures to tackle the country’s economic woes, such as abolishing subsidies on wheat and raising the price of hundreds of other items, such as oil.
In the last two days, demonstrations have been organized in many cities. The measures came into force today, Friday.
More than 20 people were arrested in Dezful and Yasouj, where 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 data. 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 reduced the purchasing power of my family (…) Prices of food, fruit and other items increased”said a mother, 43-year-old Azadegh, speaking to Agence France-Presse.
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 were changing “From hour to hour”. “How to live like this?”
Following Rice’s announcements, many rushed to the supermarket to buy groceries, according to videos posted on social networking sites and footage shown on television.
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