Iranian President Says Petrol Price Hike Inevitable

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that petrol prices should be increased, but emphasized that the decision will not be made hastily.

"There is no doubt that petrol prices must be increased," Pezeshkian told investors and economic activists, The Caspian Post reports citing Iranian media.

He added that the decision "is not so simple that I sit down at night and decide."

Pezeshkian added that the government does not intend to "create more severe problems for people with hasty decisions."

His emphasis on the inevitability of a fuel price increase has raised public concern about the imminent implementation of a new pricing plan.

The comments come as Iranians recall the November 2019 protests that erupted after a sudden government decision to raise petrol prices.

Those nationwide demonstrations were violently suppressed by security forces, with rights groups estimating that more than 1,500 protesters were killed.

The president reiterated his pledge to "correct the economic path," adding that "production and export barriers" would be removed through regular government meetings with economic and commercial sectors.