A Newspaper Report on the Government's Broken Promise; Import of Used Cars Canceled

An economic newspaper published in Tehran has reported on the issue of importing used cars, stating that the government has regretted sending the 'amendment to the law' for this matter and has shelved the file on importing used cars as it considers currency management to be problematic. The newspaper 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' wrote that while Abbas Ali-Abadi, the Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, promised the import of second-hand cars until two weeks ago, yesterday the government spokesperson delivered the final blow to the entry of used cars. According to media reports, the government spokesperson announced in a press conference that the regulations for importing used cars from free zones have been approved and communicated, and there are no other regulations in this regard. These statements effectively cancel the import of used cars into the mainland. Meanwhile, whispers about the removal of second-hand car imports from the agenda had been circulating for some time, but on April 17 of this year, when the government had concluded that importing second-hand cars might not be very necessary and not in the best interest of the country's car market, the Minister still promised and stated that 'the import of second-hand cars has also been included in this year's budget law, and the import regulations have been drafted and sent to the government.' Critics attribute the prevention of importing new and used cars to the influence of the 'car mafia' in Iran, which has completely taken over the car market by creating monopolies in production, supply, and even imports. The monopoly in the market has reached a point where Jalal Rashidi-Koochi, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated in July 2023 that all foreign cars that entered Iran until 2017 currently cost at least ten times more than their global prices and 2021 models. The dispute over the import permits for cars to the national football team players, which has currently been canceled, is also noted. The government newspaper states that the import of household appliances will be allowed. Price surges in the car market; spare parts are expected to become more expensive next year. The prices in the Iranian car market have surged, with imported cars becoming around one billion tomans more expensive. The car market is in shock from price increases, with rises of up to 100 million tomans in a week. There are also reports of a car rent for military personnel; the government has granted 'FRAJA' permission to import cars with a 1% profit.