Gas Supply Cut to 12 Petrochemical Complexes in Iran
mid ongoing gas shortages in Iran, Iranian media have reported that gas supply to 12 petrochemical complexes has been cut off.
The Secretary-General of the Iranian Petrochemical Employers Association announced that the energy crisis in Iran has led to the gas supply cut for 12 petrochemical complexes. Ahmad Mahdavi stated on January 4 that investment in the energy sector is the solution to Iran’s energy imbalance. However, investment contracts for upstream gas projects in the petrochemical sector have yet to be finalized.
Mahdavi cited the rise in household gas consumption as the main reason for the gas supply restrictions to petrochemical plants. However, he did not specify the names of the 12 affected complexes. Earlier, on January 1, Saeed Tavakoli, the CEO of Iran’s National Gas Company had announced in a meeting that gas consumption would peak in the next two days. Tavakoli warned that cold weather in northwestern and northeastern regions could cause serious problems.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that out of 600 power generation units, 80 have been shut down due to gas shortages. Iran’s power plants have a total capacity of 58,000 megawatts. The shutdown of these plants has led to an 8,000-megawatt reduction in electricity production, equivalent to a 14% decrease.
On November 29, 2024, Tavakoli had emphasized that without household gas conservation, there would not be enough gas for productive industries, including petrochemical plants, cement, and steel factories. Additionally, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the regime’s parliament (Majlis), recently admitted that under the current situation, the country would soon be left without both electricity and gas.
22-27% Percent of Iranians Struggling with Poverty
Ebrahim Sadeghi-Far, head of the Labor and Social Security Institute, warned that 22 to 27 percent of Iranians are struggling with poverty and face difficulties in meeting their basic needs.
Speaking at a meeting on January 5, Sadeghi-Far presented these statistics, emphasizing that poverty is one of the main challenges in the country that requires urgent attention.
He added, “Today, poverty in Iran is not a marginal issue; it has become an undeniable reality affecting a large portion of society.”
Previously, on November 16, the Iran’s regime Chamber of Commerce Research Center reported that as of early 2022, approximately 32 million Iranians were living below the food poverty line. The report warned that this trend is rapidly worsening due to severe inflation in recent years.
On October 29, 2024, the Iranian Parliament Research Center also reported that the poverty rate had exceeded 30 percent in 2023, stating: “Last year, at least one-third of the population was unable to meet their basic needs and lived below the poverty line.”
The head of the Labor and Social Security Institute argued that fighting poverty solely through economic measures is a mistake and called for an examination of its roots in political, social, and cultural factors.
Referring to existing data showing that school dropout rates are rising due to economic and social difficulties, Sadeghi-Far questioned why poverty persists in Iran despite the country’s vast oil resources.
On September 9, 2024, the Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper reported that the poverty line for a three-person household in Tehran this year stands at 200 million rials (approximately $247).
Citing economic experts, the newspaper added that approximately 26 million Iranians are unable to meet their basic needs.
In May 2024, the Etemad newspaper published an article titled “2024 Budget: Incapable of Poverty Reduction”, analyzing poverty data and stating that a 10 percent increase in the poverty rate over two years means approximately 8 million more people have fallen into poverty.
Citing an analysis by the Iranian Parliament Research Center, the newspaper warned that since 2017, Iran’s poor population has increased by approximately 50 percent.
Iran’s Energy Minister Warns of a “Difficult Summer” Ahead
As Iranian regime officials face multiple crises—including energy shortages, severe air pollution, and the daily rise in the U.S. dollar exchange rate, which has led to prolonged shutdowns across the country—Iran’s Minister of Energy announced that the government is preparing for a “difficult summer,” warning that overcoming it “won’t be easy.”
Abbas Ali-Abadi, Iran’s Minister of Energy, stated that last summer, Iran faced a 20,000-megawatt energy shortfall and predicted: “This figure will rise to 25,000 megawatts in the upcoming summer. God willing, it won’t!”
He added: “The reality is that there is an energy imbalance. The reality is that there is not enough gas in winter. The Ministry of Oil cannot compensate for it within two months. It’s simply not possible.”
Speaking at a special session of the Iranian regime’s Energy Commission in Majlis (parliament), attended by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Ali-Abadi emphasized that a “major energy imbalance” is on the way for the hot summer. He added: “In a cold winter, we wear coats or warm clothing, but getting through summer won’t be that simple.”
Many independent economists argue that “imbalance” is a term coined by Iranian regime officials to avoid admitting to the country’s deep economic crises.
Meanwhile, Iran’s energy crisis continues to worsen daily, with experts warning of a looming “economic collapse.” The Secretary-General of the Petrochemical Employers’ Association has announced that gas supply to 12 petrochemical plants has been cut off.
Iranian regime officials have failed to resolve crises such as air pollution, power shortages, and foreign currency devaluation, instead attempting to blame these issues on what they call “enemy psychological operations.”
On Sunday, January 5, Salman Zakir, a member of the parliamentary Industry Commission, warned of potential famine in Iran, stating that if “economic imbalances continue at this level, famine could become a reality.”
The Iranian rial’s decline against the U.S. dollar has spiraled out of the regime’s control, and the government has proven incapable of managing the country’s financial situation. According to experts, Iran’s economy is collapsing, yet the regime continues its warmongering policies in the region.
Protests in Iran: A New Wave of Popular Anger Threatens the Stability of the Regime
Iran is witnessing a significant escalation in popular protests that extend across various sectors and regions, reflecting deep discontent among a broad spectrum of society. These protests are not just an expression of economic problems but rather an indication of a comprehensive crisis that encompasses all aspects of life in the country.
In Tehran, hundreds of retirees from the education and communications sectors gathered to protest the delay in disbursing their retirement benefits and the failure to meet their basic demands. Retirees from the Ministry of Education raised slogans such as “With all these resources, Iran’s situation is bad,” referring to government corruption and mismanagement of national resources. This group demanded the disbursement of 60% of the retirement benefits that have been delayed for more than sixteen months, reflecting a severe crisis in the management of public funds.
In the telecommunications sector, retirees expressed their dissatisfaction with the organization for the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO) and the Basij Cooperative Foundation, chanting slogans such as “Unite against oppression and corruption.” These protests indicate that popular anger is no longer limited to the working classes but has extended to include those who have spent their lives serving the state.
The protests were not limited to retirees; other sectors witnessed waves of anger, most notably:
– The steel and metal sector: Workers in cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, and Damghan took to the streets to demand improved working conditions and salaries.
The economic deterioration contributed to fueling the protests, as the dollar exchange rate has reached 810,000 rials, leading to a wave of exorbitant inflation and the closure of many shops. This rise indicates the government’s failure to control the market, which deepens the living crisis and increases feelings of frustration among citizens.
The protests were not limited to the capital, Tehran, but extended to other cities such as Kermanshah, Ahvaz, and Shush, where citizens took to the streets to express their anger. The main demands of these protests range from improving economic and social conditions to calling for regime change.
The current protests reflect a multi-faceted crisis that includes:
– Economic problems: Inflation and rising prices have led to the collapse of citizens’ purchasing power.
– Loss of confidence in the regime: Demands for accountability and transparency are increasing, reflecting the people’s lack of trust in state institutions.
As protests escalate and spread across regions, fears are growing that they could turn into a full-scale uprising against the ruling regime. Slogans such as “Workers and retirees, unite!” and “We will fight and will not accept humiliation” indicate the rising spirit of defiance among the demonstrators, warning that the country may be on the cusp of a new phase of popular unrest.
Today’s protests in Iran represent a call for radical change in the country. As popular anger continues and spreads, the question remains: Will the authorities respond to the people’s demands, or will the protests develop into a full-scale confrontation that threatens the stability of the regime? The coming days will hold the answer.
Iran’s Health Minister Claims Drug Price Hikes Due to Currency Fluctuations
As reports emerge of a renewed shortage of medications for chronic illnesses, Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, the Iranian regime’s Minister of Health, announced that drug prices are rising due to currency fluctuations, stating that exchange rate instability directly impacts medication costs.
On Sunday, January 5, the health minister also promised that to prevent further price hikes, the government would compensate insurance companies for the currency fluctuations so that the public would not have to bear the extra costs.
This pledge comes as Mehdi Pirsalahi, head of the Food and Drug Administration, revealed that the government owes 360 trillion rials (approximately $444.5 million) in pharmaceutical debts.
He also noted that the government has 200 trillion rials (approximately $247 million) in outstanding debts for medical equipment, adding that the long-standing nature of these debts is exacerbating liquidity issues.
On November 29, 2024, Iran’s health minister announced the removal of preferential exchange rates for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, stating that medications would now be imported using the NIMA exchange rate.
The NIMA exchange rate, set within the “Integrated Foreign Exchange System” by Iran’s Central Bank, currently stands at 510,000 rials per U.S. dollar, whereas the open market rate has surged to 810,000 rials per U.S. dollar.
However, the health minister backtracked on his stance just a day later, stating that these government subsidies would continue into the following year.
The 42,000-rial preferential exchange rate for pharmaceuticals was eliminated last year, and the exact rate for next year remains undetermined.
Iran’s 2025 Budget Reduces Essential Goods Imports; Drug Shortages Worsen
On October 22, 2024, as the general outline of the 2025 budget bill was released, it became clear that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government plans to reduce the allocation of foreign currency for essential goods imports to 12 billion euros, 20 percent less than the current level. Additionally, the exchange rate for these imports will rise from 285,000 rials per euro to 385,000 rials, a 100,000-rial increase. In the summer of 2022, Ebrahim Raisi’s government abruptly removed the preferential exchange rate for pharmaceuticals—which had previously been set at 42,000 rials per U.S. dollar—under a plan known as “DaroYar” (Medicine Supporter). According to a May 2024 report from the Parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, the cost of purchasing medicine for patients has increased by over 110 percent in practice. Meanwhile, the number of scarce and unavailable medications has increased significantly compared to the period before the plan was implemented. In recent days, multiple reports have highlighted severe medication shortages across the country. Meanwhile, Mehdi Pirsalahi, head of Iran’s Food and Drug Administration, identified the severe liquidity crisis facing pharmaceutical suppliers as the primary cause of drug shortages. He cited “oppressive price controls” as the second major factor in drug shortages, explaining that some medicines—mainly hospital-grade drugs—have been discontinued due to their lack of profitability.Russia Denied Iran Permission to Use Its Airbase for Troop Transfers
Kamel Saqar, former head of the media office at the Syrian presidency, stated that Russia ignored Bashar al-Assad’s request to use the Hmeimim airbase for transferring Iranian military aid to the Syrian army following the fall of Aleppo.
In an interview with the Al-Mazij podcast, Kamel Saqar revealed that Iranian officials informed Assad they had not received any guarantees allowing Iranian aircraft to land at Hmeimim Airbase or to transit through Iraqi and Syrian airspace.
According to Kamel Saqar, after this, Assad formally requested permission from Russian authorities to allow Iranian planes to land at Hmeimim, but the request went unanswered.
Neither Russian nor Iranian officials have directly addressed this matter. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday, December 19, 2024: “Previously, our Iranian friends wanted us to help them transfer their units into Syria. Now, they are asking us to remove them from there.”
He further claimed that Russia had withdrawn 4,000 Iranian regime fighters from Syria.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated on December 11, 2024, that Iranian forces had prepared the necessary resources to assist Bashar al-Assad but that the U.S. and Israel had blocked both air and land routes to Syria.
Meanwhile, Kamel Saqar reported that Iranian officials informed Assad that the U.S. had threatened to shoot down any Iranian aircraft attempting to cross Iraqi airspace en route to Hmeimim Airbase.
Kamel Saqar also claimed that Russia had urged Assad to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, but Assad refused, which reportedly displeased Moscow.
Russia Removed Assad from Syria, Moscow Forms New Ties with Damascus
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated that Tehran had repeatedly advised Bashar al-Assad to engage in negotiations with Turkey and had also proposed political reforms to Damascus. Turkey, which had supported Assad’s opposition, was the first regional country to send its foreign minister to Damascus. On December 16, Bashar al-Assad stated that he had not been willing to leave Syria, but the Russians had forced him out of the country. Reuters reported that just hours before fleeing to Moscow, Assad had held a meeting with around 30 military and security commanders, assuring them that Russian military support was on its way. Russian officials have expressed optimism about maintaining good relations with the new rulers in Damascus and keeping their military bases in Syria. Meanwhile, on Thursday, December 26, 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ahmad Al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, had described relations between Syria and Russia as “long-term and strategic,” and Moscow agreed with this assessment. However, during her visit to Damascus on Friday, January 3, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Russia must withdraw its military bases from Syria.Iran Executes Over 1,000 Individuals In 2024 Amidst Intensifying Domestic Crises
In 2024, the Iranian regime executed no fewer than 1,000 individuals across 86 prisons, marking a record high under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Among the executed were 34 women, seven minors, and 119 members of the Baluchi ethnic minority, with four executions carried out publicly. This marks a 16% increase compared to 2023, which saw 864 executions.
The escalation in executions aligns with mounting political and economic crises within Iran. The final quarter of 2024 witnessed 47% of the year’s executions, underscoring the regime’s attempt to suppress dissent and maintain control amidst growing discontent. In contrast, the first quarter accounted for only 11% of the executions, and the second quarter saw 17%. The trend correlates with significant political events, such as the parliamentary elections in February and the presidential elections in June.
Shocking Start to 2025
On January 1, 2025, the regime continued its brutal campaign with the execution of 12 individuals in prisons located in Ghezel Hesar, Bandar Abbas, Yasuj, and Malayer. This surge in executions has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, condemned the regime’s actions, stating, “Khamenei resorts to these executions to suppress the people’s uprising demanding the regime’s overthrow. However, these atrocities only strengthened the determination of Iran’s youth to overthrow the religious dictatorship.” She further for the Iranian regime to be “ostracized by the international community” and any dealings with it be “conditioned on halting executions and torture. Its leaders must be held accountable before justice.”Execution Patterns and Ethnic Discrimination
Executions were carried out in 86 prisons across Iran’s 31 provinces. Approximately half took place in eight major prisons, including Ghezel Hesar (165 cases), Shiraz (97 cases), and Isfahan (61 cases). Remote prisons reported fewer executions due to the difficulty of documentation. Ethnic minorities, particularly the Baluchi population, faced disproportionate repression. Of the 1,000 documented executions, 119 were Baluchi individuals, reflecting systemic discrimination. Furthermore, 34 women and seven minors, who were under 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were among those executed. The average age of the 491 identified victims was 36 years.Public Executions and Human Rights Violations
The Iranian regime also carried out four public executions in 2024. Beyond executions, the regime employed severe punishments, including amputations. For example, two brothers in Urmia had their right-hand fingers amputated, as did two prisoners in Qom, while authorities ignored widespread corruption among high-ranking officials. Additionally, the judiciary ruled to blind a detainee accused of injuring a police officer during the 2017 protests. In what the regime touted as a “humanitarian” reform; it announced that thieves would be anesthetized before undergoing amputations.Drug-Related Executions
More than half of the executions (502 cases) were drug-related, despite the regime’s involvement in drug trafficking through networks controlled by the Revolutionary Guards. These networks reportedly generate billions of dollars across the region and internationally, with some of their activities exposed following the collapse of the Syrian regime.Calls for International Action
Maryam Rajavi emphasized that the “Silence and inaction in the face of such savage executions not only trample on recognized human rights principles but also embolden the regime to continue its executions, terrorism, war-mongering, and pursuit of nuclear weapons.” She urged global powers to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights violations, terrorism, and pursuit of nuclear weapons. Rajavi reiterated the need for the regime’s leaders to face justice for their 45-year record of crimes against humanity and genocide. The record number of executions in 2024 underscores the Iranian regime’s reliance on fear and repression to maintain its grip on power. As calls for justice grow louder, the international community faces increasing pressure to take decisive action against Tehran’s escalating human rights abuses.Economic Protests in Several Iranian Cities: “Enough Warmongering, Our Tables Are Empty”
Economic protests continued in Iran on Sunday with demonstrations by retired steel and mining industry workers in several cities, alongside strikes by oil and gas industry employees. Protesters chanted “Enough warmongering, our tables are empty,” criticizing various domestic and foreign policies of the Iranian regime.
According to citizen reports and social media posts on Sunday, January 5, retirees from various industries and organizations staged protests in several cities, including Isfahan, Rasht, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Shush, and Bushehr.
Retirees from the Social Security Organization in Rasht protested against the neglect of their labor rights and the failure to meet their demands, chanting: “Cry out, cry out, against all this oppression.”
Retired protesters in Kermanshah chanted, “Looting the nation’s pockets under the slogan of justice,” denouncing the false promises of regime officials.
They also chanted “Enough warmongering, our tables are empty,” condemning the regime’s domestic and foreign policies and its role in fueling tensions and conflicts in the region.
A group of retirees from the Khuzestan steel industry held a “silent march” to protest the government’s failure to implement the pension adjustment law, which is supposed to adjust pensions to account for the changing costs of living.
Another group of retirees in Ahvaz protested against the Iranian regime’s focus on restricting women’s freedoms instead of addressing economic hardships, chanting: “Forget the headscarves, control inflation.”
Retired protesters in Shush, another city in Khuzestan province, chanted: “A retiree’s salary lasts only a week.”
In Isfahan, retired steel industry workers held protest marches with placards, demanding their labor rights be fulfilled.
In Bushehr, a group of retired teachers who had retired last year gathered in front of the provincial governor’s office to protest the “delayed end-of-service bonuses.”
Expansion of Economic Protests in Iran; Warning of Famine
Alongside pensioners’ economic protests, a group of workers from the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Company gathered in front of the Khuzestan province governor’s office in Ahvaz, insisting on their labor demands and chanting: “A worker may die but will not accept humiliation.” Additionally, a group of applicants for the National Housing Plan in Ahvaz staged a protest in front of the Khuzestan governor’s office. Employees of the Iran Ofoq Company at the Yadavaran oil field in Khorramshahr also held a protest to demand their unmet labor rights. The expansion of economic protests comes as state media reported that Iran’s monthly minimum wage, which was approximately $113 in early 2024, has dropped to around $88 in the final months of the year due to ongoing currency fluctuations in January. The growing labor protests among various groups—including retirees, workers from different industries, teachers, nurses, and healthcare staff—highlight the worsening economic hardships in Iran and authorities’ disregard for citizens’ demands. In response to these protests, the regime has intensified security crackdowns and legal actions against independent labor activists, teachers, and retirees. Currently, several of these activists are imprisoned on security-related charges. As the Iranian rial continues to depreciate against foreign currencies—especially the U.S. dollar, which recently surged to approximately 820,000 rials in the open market—Salman Zaker, a member of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament) from Industry Commission, warned of potential famine, stating that if “economic imbalances persist at this level, famine could become a reality.”Iran: 50% Reduction in Industrial Production Due to Power Shortages
While industrial business owners report various negative consequences of power outages on production—such as a 50% reduction in industrial park production capacity, the shutdown of 22 cement factory kilns, the closure of many manufacturing units, and a decline in steel production—the CEO of Tavanir (Iran’s Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Management Company) has announced that the electricity supply-demand imbalance will worsen next year.
Reza Shahrestani, a steel producer, highlighted the dire situation of the steel industry due to energy imbalances. Speaking to Tejarat News, he stated that Turkish and Arab traders are the biggest beneficiaries of steel production in Iran. He added: “It is estimated that due to energy shortages, Iran has lost at least eight million tons of production capacity, equivalent to a $5 billion loss.”
Meanwhile, Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, CEO of Tavanir, announced that the 20,000-megawatt electricity shortage experienced this summer will increase to a 24,000-megawatt deficit next year.
Rajabi Mashhadi attributed the main cause of this shortage to the country’s low electricity tariffs, which he claimed have made “all types of businesses and activities economically viable” in Iran.
Ali-Asghar Ahaniha, the representative of employers in the Supreme Council, recently announced that 50% of the production capacity in industrial parks has been halted due to power outages.
Alireza Kolahi Samadi, chairman of the Industry Commission of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, told Khabar Online: “In some industrial companies, power outages have reached 50%, but this situation is not uniform across the country.”
Private sector representatives report that the damage from power outages has reached $20 billion. In this regard, the head of the National Union of Alternative Fuels and Related Services stated that power outages are causing extensive harm to industries. According to studies, last year alone, power cuts inflicted $11 billion in damages on the country.
Alireza Kolahi also commented on the losses caused by industrial shutdowns, stating: “Our conservative estimate is around 2,500 trillion rials (250 hemats, approximately $5 billion).”
Experts believe that $30 billion is needed to improve Iran’s electricity production and distribution infrastructure—provided that fuel supply issues do not arise. Analysts estimate that if a 20-year outlook is considered, this figure could reach $50 billion or more. However, at present, such investment resources are not available in Iran.
Over 8,000 Unsafe Classrooms in Tehran
The Director-General of Renovation, Development, and Equipping of Schools in Tehran Province has announced that 8,532 classrooms in the province require “demolition and reconstruction.” Experts believe this indicates these classrooms are unsafe, raising concerns about the continuation of education in such facilities.
The state-run IRNA news agency reported on this issue, highlighting the shortage of educational facilities in the capital: “In the city of Tehran, 928,659 students are studying with an educational space per student of 16.5 square meters, whereas the national standard is 28.5 square meters per student—a significant gap.”
In an interview with IRNA, Abbas Zare, Director-General of School Renovation in Tehran Province, said, “To reach the standard educational space per student, Tehran Province needs 13,000 new classrooms to be built.”
The poor condition of educational infrastructure in Tehran has also drawn criticism from Hamshahri, a newspaper linked to the Tehran Municipality.
On October 24, 2024, Hamshahri wrote, “People across Iran assume that Tehran has the best schools and that its educational conditions are far better than other cities. However, interestingly, the educational space per student in many other cities is better than in Tehran.”
