Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Feb. 5, 2019 – Referring to skyrocketing prices of basic goods such as meat, Iranian regime media are warning of a looming economic crisis and likely social outbursts.
“If the ruling power fails to provide for these demands, we must brace ourselves for destructive outbursts by people from all walks of life. In our current circumstances, people see nothing but dark days ahead,” according to the state-run Ebtekar daily.
Massoud Khansar, head of Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce, shed more light on the dire economic crises engulfing the mullahs’ regime.
“There isn’t one week when 10 to 50 large companies are not closed in Iran… Last year, 800 of our 1,500 contract oil companies were forced to shut down. Not one day passes when hundreds of workers don’t lose their jobs,” he said on Sunday. “We have been debating about the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for two years now. At the end of the day we’ll give in to their demands, but coming at the cost of losing out on its incentives.”
Various media outlets are warning about the current recession and escalating inflation in the country’s economy, along with increasing public abhorrence of the mullahs’ regime.
“These days we’re witnessing how the walls of trust between the people and the government has crumbled. Iran’s economy is engulfed in a cycle of recession and inflation. If inflation rises above previously forecasted figures, we will most definitely witness an irreversible catastrophe,” according to a Jahan-e San’at daily publication on February 2.
Senior Iranian regime officials are also voicing such concerns.
“We are seeing how the U.S. dollar is selling at 190,000 rials today… 190,000 rials. Although you may see figures around 100,000 or 110,000 rials, the dollar is actually above 190,000 rials. Items are sold based on the $1/190,000 rial ratio, not 100,000 or 110,000 rials. We’ve artificially lowered these prices,” said Amir Khojasteh, a member of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) on January 2.
One state-run daily says officials claim inflation stands around 20 percent while the people are actually experiencing 90 percent inflation.
“These inflation numbers are merely on paper and no citizen believes it. In circumstances when this year’s average inflation is announced at around 20 percent, these same official organs say housing prices in Tehran have increased by 90 percent. Evaluations show housing pricings skyrocketing in other provinces, too. In some areas of Tehran, housing prices have increased by 150 percent.
“In the currency, gold and coin market we are witnessing the same cycle. Construction material are now 50 percent more expensive. Manufacturers are also victims of this unbridled inflation rates. For example, poultry prices have increased by 70.28 percent in comparison to last year.”
Such dilemmas are resulting in social instability.
“There is no stability in the market and this is resulting in anger among the people,” Khojasteh said.