Iran’s plan to raise gasoline prices ‘unavoidable,’ expert says

Political analyst Mohamed Abbas Naji has said that the Iranian government’s move to raise gasoline prices in Tehran is ‘unavoidable.’

Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya FM, Naji explained that the Iranian government faces a serious dilemma, forcing it to increase fuel prices. He noted that scenes of long lines at fuel stations have emerged, alongside efforts to ration fuel allocations for vehicles.

Naji warned that if fuel prices are raised domestically, it will likely lead to growing public dissatisfaction and spark new protests in Iran in the coming period.

He added that the government has no other options regarding fuel, given the ongoing US maritime blockade on Iran, mounting economic pressure, new US sanctions, and recent American strikes that have impacted Iran’s infrastructure.

Iran is currently grappling with a crisis caused by soaring inflation and the collapse of its national currency, amid the government’s hardline stance in negotiations with the United States over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and its insistence on preconditions for talks.