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Member of the Energy Commission of the Parliament: Increasing Gasoline Prices Like in 2019 Has Social Consequences

Jan 23, 2026 January 23, 2026 1 min read 📰 Iran International (Farsi)
📋 Key Takeaway

Reza Sepahvand, a member of the Iranian Parliament's Energy Commission, warns against raising gasoline prices, citing potential social unrest similar to the 2019 protests. He emphasizes that any price adjustments should align with the income levels of the population, which are currently low. The Parliament is opposed to price hikes amid significant fuel smuggling and import reliance.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The potential for increased gasoline prices poses a significant risk of social unrest in Iran, highlighting the delicate balance between economic policy and public welfare.

👥 Key Players

Reza Sepahvand MENTIONED
Member of the Energy Commission of the Iranian Parliament
"He represents legislative concerns regarding energy policy and its social implications in Iran."
Iranian Parliament MENTIONED
Legislative body of Iran
"The Parliament's stance on fuel pricing can influence government policy and public sentiment."

📰 What Happened

Reza Sepahvand warned against raising gasoline prices, citing potential social unrest similar to the protests in 2019. He emphasized that any price changes should consider the low income levels of the population.

  • The Parliament is currently opposed to increasing gasoline prices.
  • Iran faces significant fuel smuggling and relies on imports despite having domestic resources.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Raising gasoline prices could lead to social unrest, as seen in the 2019 protests, exacerbating existing economic difficulties.
🌍 Regional: Instability in Iran could affect regional security and economic conditions, especially for neighboring countries.
🌐 International: International observers may view Iran's internal unrest as a reflection of broader economic mismanagement, impacting diplomatic relations.

📚 Background

Iran has faced economic challenges, including inflation and sanctions, which have strained public finances and living standards. Fuel prices are a sensitive issue due to their direct impact on daily life.

Iranian economy Fuel smuggling in Iran
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The statement reflects official parliamentary views, which may prioritize stability and public sentiment.

Reza Sepahvand, a member of the Energy Commission of the Parliament, stated: "The last policy for managing gasoline should be a pricing policy. The realignment of prices must correspond with the realignment of people's incomes. When people's incomes are low, how can we suddenly increase gasoline prices and create social consequences like in 2019?" He added: "The Parliament is against increasing gasoline prices. Currently, between 10 to 15 million liters of gasoline and 25 to 30 million liters of diesel are smuggled daily, and in contrast, we are forced to import."

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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