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After jump in food prices, Iran cuts off internet to prevent protests
[Iraq Sun] Iran  ...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneouslytaking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militiasto extend the regime's influence. The word Iranis a cognate form of Aryan.The abbreviation IRGCis the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA).The term Supreme Guideis a the modern version form of either Duceor Führeror maybe both. They hate has abruptly raised prices as much as 300 percent for a variety of staple foods, including cooking oil, chicken, eggs and milk. In the hours before the price hike took effect, many Iranians waited in long lines to buy food and emptied supermarket shelves across the country. Also last week, Iran's currency dropped to a low of 300,000 rial to the dollar. Internet disruptions have been reported across Iran, as the government braced for possible unrest, advocacy group NetBlocks.org said. Across the Middle East, food prices surged due to global supply chain issues and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which both export many essentials items. Drought is also ravaging Iran's economy, along with Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear deal. With inflation soaring to nearly 40 percent, the highest level since 1994, youth unemployment has also remained high. Iran's Statistics Center reported some 30 percent of Iranian households are living below the poverty line. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has promised to create jobs, lift sanctions and rescue the economy, but talks to revive the nuclear deal with world powers remain deadlocked. As Iranians complain about the rising prices of flour, the top trending hashtag on Twitter in recent weeks has been #macaroni. As she browsed a supermarket in Tehran, Mina Tehrani, a mother of three, told the News Agency that Dare Not be Named, "I am sure the government does not care about average people." Tehran resident Hassan Shahbazzadeh also complained that Iranians had forgone meat or dairy to save money, and now have nothing left to cut. "Now, even macaroni is taken off their dining tables," he said. As online outrage over rising inflation increases, Iranian authorities appear to be bracing for the worst. Last week, Article 19, a global research organization that fights censorship, reported that authorities have shut down almost all internet connectivity in cities across Khuzestan province. Recent videos have appeared on social media of Iranians gathering in the streets of southern Khuzestan, chanting slogans against price hikes and against the country's leaders. "The issue of high prices is security-related. People cannot tolerate it anymore," politician Majid Nasserinejad was reported to have warned. Posted by: Fred 2022-05-16 |
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