The Revolutionary Guard's Newspaper Supports Gas Price Increase; 'The Approach of Revolutionary Forces Should Be Supportive'

Following recent statements by the President of the Islamic Republic and his First Deputy regarding 'cheap' gasoline and speculations about a potential increase in energy prices, the Revolutionary Guard-affiliated newspaper has also entered the fray, stating: 'Why should someone whose car's side mirror costs 50 million tomans and is always on the road and enjoying leisure time not pay even one million tomans for gasoline in a year?!' The newspaper 'Javan,' the media organ of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emphasized that 'the government's rational approach to preparing public opinion should be supported.' A few days ago, Mohammad Reza Aref mentioned during the introduction of the new Minister of Oil: 'Which sane mind says we should import gasoline with dollars and sell it for 1500 tomans?' Previously, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic, stated: 'It is illogical to import gasoline freely with dollars and sell it to the people at subsidized prices when we do not have money to provide food and medicine.' In today's issue, Tuesday, September 19, 1403, the Revolutionary Guard-affiliated newspaper referred to the statements of government officials, saying: 'The approach of revolutionary forces should be completely supportive and in line with these economic measures of the government. There should be no factional behavior during these critical actions, leaving the government alone on this path.' Despite speculations about a potential increase in energy prices, government officials currently deny this possibility but emphasize that liberalization or price increases seem necessary. Meanwhile, there are contradictions in the area of imbalance, as the News Online website quoted Mohsen Paknejad, the Minister of Oil, stating that the average daily gasoline production in the country is 114 million liters and the average daily gasoline consumption is 120 million liters. This claim by the Minister of Oil indicates that there is an average daily imbalance of 6 million liters between production and consumption of gasoline in the country, which needs a solution. Meanwhile, according to the CEO of the National Oil Products Distribution Company, gasoline consumption on Saturday, September 5, reached 140 million liters, and accordingly, the imbalance has also exceeded 26 million liters per day. The increase in imbalance is a factor that has prompted the Islamic Republic to seek a gasoline price increase to manage its foreign currency resources and expenditures. Experts believe that if the current trend continues, the amount of gasoline imports this year could reach 10 billion dollars. This issue was emphasized by Pezeshkian in early August during an interview with the website of the Supreme Leader's office, stating: 'We have an energy imbalance in the country, and currently, we are paying 8 billion dollars for gasoline purchases, meaning we buy gasoline for about 30 or 40 thousand tomans and sell it for 1500 tomans; how long can we continue this?' Media analysts believe that the government is seeking to normalize the issue of gasoline price increases and related discussions in public opinion to reduce much of the emotional reactions through protracted discussions. The Islamic Republic has a bitter memory of the last gasoline price increase, as protests in November 2019 erupted following a sudden rise in gasoline prices from the night of November 24 in several cities in Iran, including Mashhad, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, and Behbahan. The scope of these protests spread to 54 cities, and ultimately, the Islamic Republic cut off the internet in the country and proceeded to kill protesters in various cities. On January 2, 2020, Reuters reported, citing sources within the Iranian government, that around 1500 protesters were killed during the November protests. Hope Shakri: Increasing gasoline prices will not solve the gasoline shortage problem. Widespread reactions to Pezeshkian's claims about gasoline prices: Is our income and expense ratio logical? Severe traffic and the shutdown of several gas stations in northern Iran due to fuel shortages; users: Result of 'irresponsibility and mismanagement.' The First Deputy of Pezeshkian emphasized 'gasoline changes,' while the Minister of Economy expressed his opposition; gasoline dizziness. Users criticize the increase in bread prices in Iran: Free market economy for gasoline and fixed price for bread. Pezeshkian defended the increase in gasoline prices; users: A mission that Raisi did not dare to undertake was given to him. A record daily consumption of 140 million liters was registered, and energy imbalance in Iran intensified.