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As Iran faces a deepening economic crisis, the regime’s officials and state media have openly expressed concerns about the fallout, warning of growing public dissatisfaction and the potential for widespread unrest. Parliamentarians have issued stark warnings about the consequences of skyrocketing inflation, power outages, and the soaring cost of basic goods, signaling mounting fear within the regime.
On November 25, the state-run ILNA news agency wrote, “It seems the bomb of price liberalization has exploded louder than ever, with its shrapnel spreading across all sectors of the economy. Electricity bills, meat, eggs, currency, gold, housing, and cars have skyrocketed with unprecedented speed in just a few months under the Pezeshkian government.” The report also noted that the cost of living, including basic food baskets, has risen by at least 40%, with some items seeing even higher increases.
Rouhollah Mousavi, a member of parliament, echoed these fears in a session on November 24: “The elevator-like rise in prices has caused severe public dissatisfaction. People’s tolerance in the face of such disorder has plummeted. Prices rose in spring, summer, and autumn, and they will rise again in winter. How often are incomes increased compared to this monthly and daily rise in costs? Why are incomes in rials while expenses are in dollars?”
Mohammad Manan Raeisi, another MP, expressed his frustration: “People don’t want slogans and poetry from us; they want action. For the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic, electricity was cut off in November. What did we do about it in parliament?”
Watch and judge why this insider is warning that the regime is destined for a collapse or #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/Ysu6LbOhnz
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 1, 2024
Doomsday Warnings
State media have painted a grim picture of the current situation. Rouydad24 reported on the alarming increase in aviation fuel prices, which are set to rise from 600 tomans per liter to 7,000 tomans—a more than tenfold increase. The outlet warned that this would deliver a severe blow to Iran’s already struggling aviation industry.
In parliament, Mehrdad Lahooti slammed the recent 38% increase in electricity tariffs: “This decision, in the current economic conditions, is terrifying. I urge the president to summon the energy minister to parliament immediately to explain this catastrophic decision.”
MP Behnam Rezvani declared that inflation and economic instability have reached a critical point: “Inflation is no longer a wound or even a disease—it is a cancer. Crushing inflation has remained persistent for over a decade, leaving people in severe hardship. This situation suggests that the administration has no plans to control the chaos.”
Rezvani also pointed out the consequences of recent policy decisions, including removing key goods from subsidized currency exchange rates. “The cost of eggs, cars, and many essential materials has soared due to the skyrocketing foreign exchange rates. The public cannot bear further price hikes, and the social consequences will be disastrous.”
Watch and judge how this former #Iranian official (who happens to be the son of former regime's president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani) warns the state's leadership against #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/dAS7ewKL8M
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 28, 2023
Mohammad Pakmehr, another MP, issued a dire warning to the Pezeshkian government: “Inflation is rampant, oversight is non-existent, and there’s no clear plan to combat these issues. The public sees no accountability for the surging costs of eggs, meat, and electricity or for the overnight 30% increase in car prices.”
Adding to the chorus of alarm, Abdolvahid Fayazi claimed that the rising costs were “not coincidental” but part of an organized scheme. “A creeping, calculated system of price increases is at play. Parliament cannot simply respond with written or verbal warnings. This is a serious matter that demands immediate action,” he said.
State Media Acknowledge Mounting Unrest
Reflecting the regime’s fear of a public uprising, state-run Jahan-e Emrooz wrote on November 23, “Electricity tariffs have quietly increased by 38%. This, combined with other economic pressures, creates a volatile situation that cannot be ignored.” Similarly, on Saturday, Khabar Online reported, “The increase in electricity prices has been confirmed. The CEO of Tavanir stated that electricity tariffs for high-consumption users will be calculated on a tiered basis, up to five times the cost of electricity supply. He also noted that the cost of supplying electricity this year has increased by 21% compared to the previous year.”
Watch and judge how workers in #Iran are left with no solution other than #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/iCo2RxD4sg
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 15, 2023
Gostaresh News published an article titled “Power Outages and Price Hikes: A New Tragedy for the People. Is a Horrifying Price Increase on the Way?” The report stated, “A review of the new tariffs compared to previous ones shows that tariff increases, except for two cases, are around 38%. Since the beginning of Mehr this year, the new household electricity consumption tariffs have been implemented.”
State media and officials, far from expressing empathy, are voicing these warnings out of sheer fear, as MP Rouhollah Mousavi put it bluntly: “Esteemed officials, come to the aid of the suffering people, for their patience has run out.”
