As traders in central Tehran and the historic Grand Bazaar shut their stores last month to protest against high prices, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined the depth of his dilemma in managing the Islamic republic’s economic malaise.
“I am told salaries are low; that is true. I am told taxes are high; that is also true. But then I am told to raise salaries,” Pezeshkian told parliament. “Can someone tell me where the money is supposed to come from? We are struggling to secure foreign currency to cover people’s livelihoods, livestock feed and basic commodities.”
In the weeks since, protests over economic grievances have spiralled into nationwide civil unrest that poses the biggest threat to the Islamic republic in years. Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained as the regime has intensified its crackdown.