The Iranian state media has finally admitted to the regime’s role in ruining the economy and destroying the lives of the people over the past 42 years.
On Monday, 17 May 2021, the Etemad daily did a piece on the skyrocketing inflation rate and price of basic goods, like oils (up 35%), bread (up 50%), and sugar (up 72%).
Meanwhile, regarding the bread situation, the Resalat daily noted that in Tehran, the official price of Barbari bread is 1,500 Tomans, but some bakeries have raised it to 2,000 Tomans. Despite the increased cost, people report that the quality is poor, and the bread is underweight.
The paper wrote: “People always pay the price of skyrocketing prices. Meanwhile, the government can stop the increase in the price of bread by allocating concessions to bakeries. Rising bread prices as an important commodity in the food basket of families have always faced many reactions because it is the most important food of the people.”
In March, the government claimed that the prices of basic goods would stay the same, then blamed small business owners for increases, even though the state-run media admits that the regime is responsible.
The Jahan-e Sanad daily wrote about inflation on Monday, 17 May, saying that as the current presidency reaches its end, they’ve begun increasing prices for no reason.
The paper wrote: “The trend of increasing the prices of basic goods has started in recent days. Meanwhile, according to government spokesman Ali Rabi’i, no price changes were to be made in the first quarter of this year. Using elections, the government has increased the price of [basic commodities].”
While economist Vahid Shaqaqi said that due to the regime’s control of the economy, prices will never drop. As always, the regime benefits and the Iranian people suffer, as the Aftab-e Yazd pointed out when they said that “no official in the country cares about people’s aggravating living problems”.
So how bad is inflation? Well, the Etemad daily reported that it was 133% on average from 2018 to 2021 and is set to be 220% this year, while also pointing out that per capita income has decreased 15% and the poverty line has increased 15-30%.
With this and all the other crises experienced by the Iranian people, state media warned that protests and even an uprising could follow.
The Arman daily wrote: “The coronavirus outbreak revealed our problems and weaknesses. One of the factors that causes aggression and subsequent conflict and [protest] is the psychological pressure due to the people’s economic conditions and living conditions. Unemployment and in society are other causes of [protest].”
