Irans gas prices soar for the first time since fatal 2019 protests

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran introduced a new pricing tier Saturday for its nationally subsidized gasoline, attempting to rein in spiraling costs for the first time since a price hike in 2019 that sparked nationwide protests and a crackdown that reportedly killed over 300 people.Cheap gasoline has been viewed for generations as a birthright in Iran, sparking mass demonstrations as far back as 1964 when a price increase forced the shah to put military vehicles on the streets to replace those of striking taxi drivers.But Iran’s theocracy faces a growing squeeze from the country’s rapidly depreciating rial currency and economic sanctions imposed due to Tehran’s nuclear program.That has made the cost of having some of the world’s cheapest gasoline at a few pennies per gallon that much more expensive.However, the government’s hesitant move toward increasing prices likely signals it wants to avoid any confrontation with the nation’s exhausted public after Israel launched a 12-day war on the country in June.“Our discontent has no result,” fumed Saeed Mohammadi, a teacher who works as a taxi driver in his spare time to make ends meet.

“The government does whatever it likes.They don’t ask people if they agree or not.”At four gas stations in northern Tehran on Saturday morning, drivers seemed relaxed as they refueled in clear, cold weather.

Single police vehicles were stationed nearby at times, but there were no long lines at the pumps or other visible problems.The new pricing system implemented Saturday adds a third pricing level to the country’s long-running subsidy system.The revised structure allows motorists to continue receiving 60 liters (15 gallons) per month at the subsidized rate of 15,000 rials per liter, or 1.25 US cents, and the next 100 liters (26 gallons) will remain at 30,000 rials a liter, or 2.5 cents.Anything purchased beyond that falls under the new pricing scheme of 50,000 rials per liter, or about 4 cents.

Iran introduced fuel rationi...