KHAMENEI BACKS PETROL PRICE HIKE DECISION AS PROTEST ACROSS IRAN (VIDEOS)

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Sun 17 November 2019:

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei says that a gasoline price increase should be implemented, blaming the “counter-revolution and enemies” for “sabotage,” Iranian state TV reported on Sunday.

Khamenei also called those setting fire to public property ‘bandits.’

“I have no background in this topic … but I had said that if the heads of the three branches of government make a decision that I would support it,” said Khamenei, adding: “The heads of the government have made a decision which of course should be implemented.”


“Some people will certainly be unhappy with this decision. However, damaging and setting fire [to public property] is not the work of the people, but bandits,” he said.

“The counter-revolution and the enemies of Iran have always supported such sabotage and insecurity, and now they are busy doing just that,” said Khamenei.

The “vigilant” people of Iran should “keep away from those who cause damage [to public property],” he said.

Several protests erutped across Iranian cities on Saturday, with many protesters blocking main roads with their cars and burning tyres while chanting “Death to the dictator,” a day after the government announced a surprise decision to ration and hike the price of petrol.

At least 25 people have reportedly been killed since the demonstrations began, and dozens are being treated for injuries.

Khamenei said that for the past two days “all the centers of the world’s wickedness against us have cheered” the unrest.

These included the Pahlavi royal family ousted in the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) group, which he called a “terrorist” cult.

“What I am asking is that no one help these criminals,” he said, calling on people to distance themselves from those stoking the unrest.

Protests have erupted in at least 37 cities, including Mashhad, Sirjan, Poldokhtar, Ahwaz, Abadan, Khoramshahr, Tabriz, Shiraz, Isfahan, Birjand, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Shar-e Quds, Damavand, Sanandaj, Bandar Rig, Yazd, Babol, Rasht, Urmia, Garmsar, Neyshabur, Saqqez, Chabahar, Ahar, Rudehen, Eslamshahr, Tehran, Gachsaran, Zahedan, Fardis, Qazvin, Hamedan, Khorramabad, and Kermanshah.

Iran imposed petrol rationing and raised pump prices by at least 50 percent on Friday, saying the move was aimed at helping citizens in need with cash handouts.

Economic fears

According to Friday’s decision, vehicles for private use are to be restricted to 60 litres (16gal) of fuel monthly, while the price of petrol will jump 50 percent to 15,000 Iranian rials ($0.13) a litre. Any fuel purchases in excess of allotted rations will incur an additional charge of 30,000 rials ($0.26) a litre.

The moves prompted fears of households facing further economic pressure in a country whose economy is forecast to shrink by 9.5 percent this year.

Iranians, especially those getting by on low- and middle-income wages have already taken a massive hit due to a currency crisis and an inflationary wave that formed on the back of the sanctions imposed after US President Donald Trump last year unilaterally withdrew Washington from a landmark nuclear deal signed between world powers and Iran in 2015.

The demonstrations, though not as widespread as the economic protests that shook the country nearly two years ago, put new pressure on the government of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani before parliamentary elections in February.

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