Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Wednesday that Iran considers the protests over gasoline prices to have been put down, labeling it a victory over foreign enemies.
“The Iranian people have again succeeded in an historic test and shown they will not let enemies benefit from the situation,” Rouhani said, acknowledging that protesters have valid complaints about the country’s management.
Iranian officials were keen to draw a divide between the peaceful majority of protesters and argue that the violent protesters were either foreigners, or backed by foreign groups to stir unrest within Iran.
Iranian state television showed thousands of demonstrators in a pro-government rally in several cities, supporting the government and condemning the US and Israel as the source of the violence.
The snake eating it’s own tail and call it macaroni
Like many other oil producing states, Iran tries to share the oil wealth with the population by selling gasoline far below cost, just pennies per gallon. Of course people like essentially free gasoline.
However, it produces a smuggling problem. It also distorts energy use, and promotes waste. Gasoline is valued at cost to them, and wasted. These problems grow over time, as the stimulus to abuse sinks in.
They obviously ought to raise prices. They tried to, but still to absurdly low levels, about half a buck per gallon.
People didn’t like that. Only some got violent. Who got violent? Those with foreign connections, according to the government. Maybe.
Meanwhile, some other method must be found to share oil wealth with the population. The original goal was valid, just done poorly.