Iran International
A fresh hike in bread prices has deepened the strain on many Iranians, prompting warnings from a prominent economist that unchecked inflation could spark unrest.
Bread remains the cornerstone of an affordable meal, but even that is slipping beyond reach as prices surge.
“If inflation remains unchecked … Iran could witness a bread riot,” economist Hossein Raghfar told the moderate outlet Rouydad24 this week, warning that inaction could have consequences far beyond the economy.
“The lack of planning, combined with external pressures, could leave the country vulnerable to regime change efforts by foreign powers and threaten Iran’s political and social stability,” he added.
Several Iranian outlets linked the latest hikes to the psychological impact of the reactivation of the “trigger mechanism” and the snapback of pre-2015 sanctions.
Raghfar said poor crisis management has already driven up the cost of foreign trade and imports, predicting further increases and unrest as pressures mount.
Bleak outlook
Iran’s Chamber of Commerce last week projected a worst-case scenario of a 60% currency plunge, inflation at 75%, and unemployment at 14% in the coming months if sanctions are reinstated.
The Chamber later retracted its forecasts, reportedly after a visit by security agencies to its Tehran offices.
Raghfar echoed the concern without citing the forecast. “The snapback of sanctions will severely impact Iran’s international trade and shipping,” he said. “At the same time, Iran will face increased restrictions on international banking.”
Tehran is failing to address mounting challenges, Raghfar argued, accusing the government of devising policies that often appear to align with the aims of those seeking to topple the Islamic Republic.
President under fire
Some critics have been more specific.
Moderate politician and former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi told Khabar Online that President Masoud Pezeshkian was wasteful and misplaced his priorities.
“When he visits shrines or the graves of martyrs, he is accompanied by a massive entourage … of 1–2,000, whose presence is unnecessary and has no meaningful impact on the president’s security,” Karbaschi said.
“The funds allocated to certain religious propaganda organizations exceed the annual budgets of entire ministries,” he added.
Karbaschi omitted that most such organizations are linked to the office of the supreme leader and lie beyond any administration’s remit. Pezeshkian himself underlined this limited authority on Wednesday.
“Why should the country’s resources be handed over without reason to institutions and bodies that have no benefit or usefulness?” he asked at a conference.
