{"id":323783,"date":"2024-09-04T17:47:21","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T16:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=323783"},"modified":"2024-09-04T17:47:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T16:47:21","slug":"pezeshkian-follows-in-raisis-footsteps-toward-irans-economic-collapse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/pezeshkian-follows-in-raisis-footsteps-toward-irans-economic-collapse\/","title":{"rendered":"Pezeshkian Follows in Raisi\u2019s Footsteps toward Iran\u2019s Economic Collapse"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In a move that signals a clear continuation of the economic policies of the slain regime president Ebrahim Raisi, his successor Masoud Pezeshkian has recently emphasized the need for “intervention and surgery” in the nation’s economy. Rather than focusing on lifting sanctions or fostering economic growth, as promised during the electoral campaign, Pezeshkian has been preoccupied with discussions about the “unrealistic” pricing of fuel and the necessity for economic “surgery.”<\/p>\n

In May 2022, Raisi introduced his controversial “economic surgery<\/a>” plan to overhaul the country’s economy by cutting subsidies and increasing taxes. This approach was widely criticized both by state-run media and the Iranian public, who saw it as a direct attack on their livelihoods. During his election campaign, Pezeshkian spoke of following Raisi\u2019s lead while simultaneously lamenting the poor state of the economy. However, his recent rhetoric seems more focused on imposing further burdens on the Iranian people.<\/p>\n

On September 3, while attempting to obscure his true intentions in a confusing play of words, Pezeshkian said, “We must inform the people about the necessary interventions in the economic arena and, naturally, what surgeries are needed to get the country out of this situation.” Speaking to an audience described by state media as “economic activists of Khorasan Razavi province,” Pezeshkian did not provide details about these “surgeries.” However, his remarks suggest continuing policies that could lead to higher prices for goods and the elimination of certain social services and subsidies\u2014measures likely to provoke further public discontent.<\/p>\n

Given the sensitivity of this topic, especially in light of the 2019 protests against gasoline price hikes, Pezeshkian sought to mitigate the negative impact of his statements. After the meeting, he posted on X<\/a> (formerly Twitter), saying, “I told the economic activists of Razavi Khorasan that in any economic action and surgery, the principle is public consent. Without the people’s support, doing big things is impossible.” This message was also prominently featured on his official website.<\/p>\n

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#MasoudPezeshkian<\/a>\u2019s Economic Policies: A Catalyst for Unrest and Uprising in #Iran<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/8rJDXtdQSp<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n