Masoomeh Taherkhani, an economic analyst, said the Islamic Republic government, with a focus on countering fuel smuggling, is implementing a large-scale program to eliminate energy subsidies. According to her, the bulk of fuel smuggling is carried out in an organized manner through networks that have access to infrastructure and official permits, but the cost of tackling it has been put on the people and drivers.

Taherkhani added that, considering the experience of the protests of Aban 1398, the authorities have opted for the gradual reduction of fuel rations rather than an abrupt increase in the price of gasoline. She warned that moving toward calculating the price of gasoline based on dollar rates, in conditions where people’s income is in rials, could sharply increase hardship and inflation.