2022 Iranian food protests

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2022 Iran Regime Protests
Part of 2021–2022 Iranian protests
Date6 May 2022 – 15 September 2022
Location
Iran
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, food riot
Resulted inProtests spilled over into the larger Mahsa Amini protests
Parties
Iranian demonstrators
Lead figures

Non-centralized leadership

In May 2022, ongoing protests in Iran escalated into nationwide civil unrest[5] as a result of government price hikes on staple foods including bread and pasta.[6][7] The protests were part of a countrywide wave of protests beginning in July 2021. Protests were initially concentrated in the water-stricken province of Khuzestan,[8] but rapidly spread nationwide. Authorities responded by declaring riot control action[9] and blocking internet access.[10]

Prior to the start of the demonstrations, preceding and during International Workers' Day on 1 May, Iran preemptively detained 38 teachers[11] in order to stymie planned nationwide protests during National Teachers' Day on 2 May. Workers' protests had increased over the past year as the result of a deterioration in living conditions caused by the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran during the administration of Donald Trump and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] After the Iranian government ended subsidies for imported wheat, the price of flour soared by around 500%,[13] exacerbating current inflation, which hovered around 50%.[14]

The protests, beginning on 6 May in Khuzestan,[15] were initially associated with the rising cost of living. However, they rapidly escalated into anti-Mullah demonstrations. Ranchers in at least 10 cities allegedly staged demonstrations at offices of the Iranian Agricultural Ministry, with pensioners participating in similar demonstrations.[8] Large scale demonstrations reportedly broke out in the city of Dezful,[8] and reportedly spread into the cities of Khafajia, Hawizeh, and Shiraz.[16]

Background

Main articles: 2021–2022 Iranian protests, 2021 Iran workers' strike, and 2021 Iranian water protests

In the summer of 2021, widespread demonstrations in Khuzestan and elsewhere in Southern Iran broke out as a result of government rationing of water. The suppression of the demonstrations was met with condemnation from international human rights organizations including Amnesty International, who criticized the deployment of "unlawful force".[17] The demonstrations were accompanied by an industrial strike composed of petrochemical workers in Bushehr province. Labor actions continued to increase over the following year and into 2022,[12] exacerbated by increasing consumer prices and a weakening rial.[18][19]

Price hikes

See also: 2022–2023 food crises and Food security during the COVID-19 pandemic

On 1 May 2022, the Iranian government abruptly terminated subsidy support for several imported staple products.[20] Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi explained his decision to terminate the price stability measures of his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani, by arguing that such measures were inefficient and led to corruption.[21] The Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran began direct payments in the form of cash subsidies to Iran's public instead, with the government deploying an electronic coupon system as a form of price control to prevent price gouging in place of the import subsidies.[21]

Despite Raisi promising that "prices on wheat, medicine, and petrol will not increase in any circumstances",[21] the price of some food products rose by over 300%.[22][23] Worsened by increasing prices of grain caused by the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine,[24] the price of flour rose to Rls.160,000 from the pre-discontinuation Rls.27,000 average.[25] From inflation going up in the last few years,this is causing the poverty line rate to increase.[26]

Street protests

Khuzestan

The demonstrations were initially concentrated in the Khuzestan province, beginning on 6 May. Iranian security forces allegedly used live ammunition to disperse protestors in the Abuzar area, and looting of grain stores occurred in the city of Izeh.[27] State news agency IRNA claimed that demonstrators had looted several stores in the "past few days" in Izeh. In several videos posted to social media, riot police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition on many occasions.[28] As protests spread nationwide on the night of 12 May, Iranian forces arrested 15 demonstrators in the Khuzestani city of Dezful.[29] Protestors in the cities of Ahwaz, and Dezful chanted slogans calling for the "death to the dictator".[30] IRNA claimed that demonstrators threw stones at police and firefighters, causing the injury of a firefighter. The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran claimed that Iranian security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators in the city of Andimeshk.[31] One person was killed during clashes on May 12.[32][33]

Elsewhere in Iran

Demonstrations spread nationwide on the night of 12 May.[34] Protests in the cities of Shahr-e Kord in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province grew to 200 persons on the night of 12 May, with social media reports indicating that unrest had spread further to the cities of Ardabil, Rasht, and Iranshahr.[35] By 24 May, protests had spread to 40 cities and towns across Iran.[36]

References

  1. ^ "The Ebrahim Raisi government just jacked up food prices. Iranians are understandably angry". Atlantic Council. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  2. ^ Scollon, Michael, "As Bread Costs Skyrocket In Iran, So Does The Risk Of Social Unrest", Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty, Radio Free Europe, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  3. ^ Bloody protests in Iran are not just about food prices, 18 May 2022
  4. ^ More footage of the Basij base takeover by angry protesters., 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  5. ^ Soaring Bread Prices Trigger Street Protests In Iran, Radio Free Europe, 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  6. ^ Iran Prepares for Protests Amid Fears of Nuclear Negotiations Failure, Al-Awsat, 5 May 2022, archived from the original on 11 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022.
  7. ^ Iran raises prices of food staples, stirring panic and anger, Associated Press (published 12 May 2022), 12 May 2022, archived from the original on 15 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  8. ^ a b c "Protests Ignite In Southern Iran Against Government Price Hikes". Iran International. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  9. ^ "The Ebrahim Raisi government just jacked up food prices. Iranians are understandably angry". Atlantic Council. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Iran Protesters at Risk of Lethal State Violence". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Iran: Release Detained Teacher Activists". Human Rights Watch. 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. ^ a b main (29 April 2022). "A Statistical Look at the Situation of Iranian Workers over the Past Year". Hrana. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  13. ^ Scollon, Michael. "As Bread Costs Skyrocket In Iran, So Does The Risk Of Social Unrest". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  14. ^ Motamedi, Maziar. "Nuclear talks: Iran's Raisi launches major economic reform". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Khuzestan Protests: Fears of Another Bloody Crackdown". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Protests in Khuzestan; Iranian forces arrest 50 people – ANHA". Hawar News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  17. ^ Iran: Security forces use live ammunition and birdshot to crush Khuzestan protests, 23 July 2021, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  18. ^ Iran's Currency Falls To Four-Month Low, Amid Bread Crisis, Iran ITL, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  19. ^ "Iran sanctions raise doubts about the success of economic pressure on Russia". Atlantic Council. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  20. ^ Food Prices Soar as Iran Ends Subsidies for Imported Wheat, EA Worldview, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  21. ^ a b c Nuclear talks: Iran's Raisi launches major economic reform, Al Jazeera, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  22. ^ Ershad, Alijani (13 May 2022). "'They're imposing famine on us': Soaring food prices fuel angry protests in Iran". France 24. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  23. ^ Staff (17 May 2022). "Nationwide protests in Iran as food prices increase". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  24. ^ Weaver, Margaret (2 May 2022). "World food grain shortage looms as Russia blocks a top Ukrainian export". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Flour Price Soars In Iran, Impacting Bread, Pasta, As Subsidy Stops". Iran International. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Explainer:Iran's Protest over food prices". 1 June 2022.
  27. ^ Iran: Protests and associated clashes since 6 May reported in Khuzestan Province, Crisis24 Garda, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  28. ^ Protests In Iran Spread To Several Cities Thursday Evening, Iran ITL, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  29. ^ "Iran arrests dozens protesting sudden price hike in food staples". France 24. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  30. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz (14 May 2022). "Protests Triggered by Rising Food Prices Spread in Iran". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  31. ^ Security forces open fire on demonstrators protesting high prices of basic goods., Twitter, archived from the original on 13 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  32. ^ One killed as price protests continue in Iran, Reuters, 14 May 2022, archived from the original on 15 May 2022, retrieved 15 May 2022
  33. ^ Associated Press (14 May 2022). "Iran media report 1 killed in unrest over food price hikes". ABC News. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  34. ^ "Protests In Iran Spread To Several Cities Thursday Evening". Iran International. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  35. ^ Soaring bread prices spark protests and shop fires in Iran, IRNA reports, Reuters, 13 May 2022, archived from the original on 14 May 2022, retrieved 14 May 2022
  36. ^ Ebrahim, Nadeen (23 May 2022), Why Iranians are taking to the streets again (published 23 May 2022)
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