{"id":348095,"date":"2026-09-16T20:17:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T19:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=348095"},"modified":"2026-09-16T20:17:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T19:17:42","slug":"from-fuel-shortages-to-kurdish-strikes-irans-rulers-confront-a-society-on-edge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/economy\/from-fuel-shortages-to-kurdish-strikes-irans-rulers-confront-a-society-on-edge\/","title":{"rendered":"From Fuel Shortages to Kurdish Strikes: Iran\u2019s Rulers Confront a Society on Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Steel factory retirees and employees in Isfahan held a protest rally on September 16, 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three-minute read<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A growing body of admissions from senior officials, state media reports, and developments across the country suggest that Iran\u2019s clerical establishment is grappling with more than an economic downturn<\/a>. Senior officials are openly warning of external pressure and internal divisions, while state-controlled media have highlighted signs of a widening gap between the regime and society.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Economy Under Mounting Strain<\/h2>\n

On September 15, 2026, <\/span>Mohammad-Reza Aref<\/span>, the regime\u2019s first vice president, acknowledged that sanctions continue to exact a significant cost, stating that the country must buy goods \u201c10 to 15 percent more expensive\u201d and sell exports \u201c10 to 15 percent cheaper.\u201d The admission came amid growing concern over inflation, currency depreciation, and deteriorating living standards.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The government\u2019s fiscal challenges are also becoming harder to conceal. Government spokeswoman <\/span>Fatemeh Mohajerani<\/span> disclosed that nearly 310 trillion tomans<\/a> in projected tax revenues had not been realized during the first half of the year. She also declined to discuss oil revenues, citing wartime conditions, an indication of the sensitivity surrounding the regime\u2019s financial position.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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"Iran\u2019s ruling establishment is confronting fresh domestic pressure as a deadly #security<\/a> operation in Mehran, another state-approved tariff increase and new evidence of collapsing purchasing power expose strains on both the state and ordinary Iranians," writes @MansoreGolestan<\/a>.\u2026<\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n