Guard Commander Predicts Unrest Due to Economy

Severe living conditions and increasing economic problems in Iran, partly as a result of international sanctions, could lead to more unrest in the country in the coming months. Revolutionary Guard commander Naser Shabani predicted that this time “the unrest would start from remote cities in the country rather than Tehran,” BBC Persian [fa] reports. Shabani asserted that the Revolutionary Guard Corps is ready to confront the situation. He also predicted that politicians will use the bad economy situation to advance their campaigns during the elections.

It seems that economic problems combined with reduced purchasing power are too prevalent for the authorities to deny. ILNA [fa] reports that the head of Iran’s Majlis Workers Faction, Ali-Reza Mahjoub, stated that wages and salaries of workers and employees in the next year should be double the amount they currently receive. Speaking of the poor living conditions of workers and employees, he added that the reduced purchasing power of the rial, combined with increased prices and inflation are too obvious not to discuss.

Some authorities have expressed concerns about economic problems and possible unrest as a result. This has lead to attempts to alleviate the problem. In its latest effort, the government announced 526,000 new jobs. Authorities [fa] claim that the jobs were not created in pursuit of any political purpose but are the outcomes of a long-term plan. In the upcoming months before the next presidential elections, it is quite likely that Iran will witness more efforts and struggles in its economic scene, together with criticisms and denials.