Iran raises gasoline prices to curb consumption, smuggling

Iran raised the price of its subsidized gasoline for most users on Saturday, a government spokesperson said.

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The increase in Iran’s gasoline price, which is among the lowest in the world, had long been postponed amid concerns it could spark a repeat of widespread protests seen in 2019, that reportedly killed over 300 people.

Cheap gasoline has been viewed for generations as a birthright in Iran, sparking mass demonstrations as far back as 1964 when a price increase forced the shah to put military vehicles on the streets to replace those of striking taxi drivers.

Starting on Saturday, most vehicles except ambulances must purchase fuel at a higher rate of 50,000 rials per litre (4 US cents under the free-market rate), government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on state TV.