[49249] Aref orders measures against abnormal price hikes in Iran

Government directive to halt predatory price hikes in Iran

Iranian First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, has issued an urgent directive to the country's law enforcement systems to act decisively against entities exploiting the economic situation and raising prices in an abnormal manner. According to reports, Aref noted that cases have been observed where products have increased in price by up to 100% in less than a week.

In channels identified with the administration, such as Hamyane Pezeshkian and the state news agency IRNA News Agency, it was emphasized that this is a case of "fishing in troubled waters" and that the responsible parties must identify the true causes of the price hikes and act immediately against the profiteers. The IRNA agency, known for its official government line, even highlighted Aref's call to rely on the public's role in overcoming economic crises.

Similar reports were also published in other media outlets, including Akharin Khabar and Khorasan Online, which echoed Aref's message that "some factors are exploiting the current conditions" and that there is a need for "decisive and swift handling" of the phenomenon.

The directive reflects the growing pressure on the Iranian government to deal with inflation and market volatility, as the government seeks to place the responsibility on "profiteers" and intermediaries, while the Iranian economy continues to suffer from prolonged instability.