Soaring food prices trigger protests across Iran

Chenar Chalak

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Protests against inflation and surging prices of goods spread on Thursday across a number of provinces in Iran after the government cut subsidies for food, Iranian media outlets reported.

Videos shared on social media showed protestors marching through Lorestan, Kermanshah, Khuzestan and Tehran chanting anti-regime slogans mainly targeting the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi. 

In the streets of Char Mahal and Bakhtiari, people chanted “Death to Khamenei,” and “Shame on Raisi,” reported Iran International. The Iranian president had promised to create jobs, lift sanctions and rescue Iran’s economy upon his inauguration. 

Iranian state media on Friday afternoon addressed the demonstrations, announcing the arrest of at least 22 protestors in two southern cities. 

Prices of good in Iran have skyrocketed since the start of May.

The price of one kilogram of flour rose from 2,700 toman (less than 10 cents) to 16,000 tomans (around 60 cents), according to Iran International. The surge in flour prices have resulted in increasing bread and pasta prices, leading to massive demonstrations engulfing the country. 

The circulating videos depicted Iranian security forces using gunfire to disperse the protesters. Iran International also reported that teargas and batons were used by the forces for that same purpose.

The media outlet also stated that internet services were cut off in a number of Khuzistan cities as the province has displayed a vocal presence in the recent protests in the area.

Protests broke out in Iran over water shortages in 2021. Excessive force was used by Iranian authorities to break up the protests, in addition to cutting off Internet services.