- identifying Iran’s construction sector as being controlled directly or indirectly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Construction Sector and 10 Military-Applicable Industrial Materials
The U.S. Department of State has announced sanctions on Iran’s construction and civil engineering sector, as well as on 10 industrial materials with potential military use. Any individual or entity that provides these materials to Iran will be subject to sanctions.
According to the U.S., these materials are used in the Iranian regime’s nuclear or military programs.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 21, the U.S. Department of State announced that it has sanctioned 10 strategic materials used in connection with Iran’s nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs.
According to the statement, the newly sanctioned materials include austenitic nickel-chromium alloy, magnesium ingots, sodium perchlorate, tungsten-copper composite, and certain aluminum sheets and pipes.
The U.S. State Department, pointing to the expansion of sanctions, emphasized:
Iran: Cement Industry Crisis; Factory Shutdowns, Pressure on Housing Market and Stock Exchange
As power outages increase and cement factories halt production, the price of this essential construction material has experienced a rare surge. Construction industry stakeholders are calling this situation a “disaster” for the housing market.
Pezhman Jouzi, head of the Construction Industry Association, warned on Thursday, May 22, in response to the rising cement prices due to electricity and energy shortages, saying: “For the public, the news of cement becoming more expensive might just be news, but for housing producers, it is a disaster with damaging consequences.”
He criticized the ongoing power cuts to industries, adding: “The housing problem in Iran stems from internal mismanagement, not foreign sanctions. Power outages in foundational industries like cement directly harm housing production.”
Various figures have been reported for Iran’s electricity deficit. Regardless of the exact amount, evidence suggests that although summer 2025 is still a month away, the blackout crisis has become significantly worse than last year.
Jouzi pointed to the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy, saying: “This ministry must ensure a fair share of energy for industries, as energy supply is the main infrastructure for production activities.”
Production Halt, Price Surge, and Market Turmoil
In recent weeks, power outages have led to shutdowns or reduced production at cement factories in provinces such as Isfahan, Ilam, and Kordestan.
Industry associations have warned that a 90% reduction in electricity quotas effectively means factory shutdowns.
Mehrdad Ghadimi, advisor to the Karaj Construction Materials Union, said regarding the rise in cement prices: “In the past two months, the price of a bag of cement in some areas has risen from around 530,000 rials (approximately $0.064) to over 1.3 million rials (approximately $1.6).”
He added: “If factory production were just 10 to 15 percent higher, this price increase might not have been felt at all.”
According to experts and private sector activists, this crisis is not due to sanctions or resource shortages but rather stems from mismanagement and the lack of planning for sustainable energy supply.
Following these warnings and widespread blackouts across cities, Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian regime’s president, stated: “Cutting electricity to the production and industrial sectors is the last resort, and we will do everything we can to avoid power cuts to industries.”
Impact on Stock Market and Company Profitability
The power cuts have had an immediate negative effect on the commodity exchange and capital markets, with particularly sharp fluctuations in the shares of cement and steel companies.
These blackouts have reduced company profits and significantly increased operational costs. Although currency rate growth may partially offset these losses, power outages remain a structural risk for energy-dependent industries.
38% Of Iranian Children Live Below the Poverty Line
On May 17, the state-run newspaper Ham Mihan examined the situation of children in Iran living below the poverty line. In its introduction, the outlet wrote: “Around 23 million people live in areas that can be called ‘urban poverty traps.'”
Ham Mihan further states: “Studies by the Social Welfare Office of the Ministry of Labor show that a high percentage of Iranian children live in households suffering from monetary poverty (38% of children are below the poverty line). Household income-expenditure data from 2019 indicate that about 50% of parents lack upper secondary education, a figure that rises to approximately 70% in Sistan and Baluchestan.”
The future of children living below the poverty line
Mahtab Hajimohammadi, a member of the Iranian Peace Studies Association, who spoke alongside Kamal Athari at a conference marking International Day of Families, discussed the future of Iranian children in underprivileged families living below the poverty line.Educational Disaster in Iran: 70% of Students Suffering from Learning PovertyShe said: “Children from disadvantaged families face serious challenges that limit their growth and potential. These limitations are not just economic. In such circumstances, poverty goes beyond financial hardship and, due to the political and social structures of the country, leads to deeper deprivation, where underprivileged individuals are unable to access even minimal welfare services.” According to Hajimohammadi, the lack of economic, social, cultural, and symbolic capital prevents children from accessing equal opportunities, and class divisions grow as poverty and inflation increase.
Life of 38% of Iranian children in households below the poverty line
In Iran, poverty affects not only millions of families but also jeopardizes the future of children. According to reports, 38% of Iranian children live in households suffering from monetary poverty—a shocking figure that highlights the depth of the country’s economic and social crisis. These children are victims of a system plagued by mismanagement and disregard for social policies, trapping them in a merciless cycle of poverty, violence, and deprivation.Underprivileged children, victims of multidimensional poverty
Children born into marginalized and underprivileged families face multiple vulnerabilities from the very beginning of life. These children are deprived not only of proper nutrition, emotional support, and psychological care, but also grapple with threats such as child marriage, school dropout, neglectful parenting, and even physical and sexual abuse. Multidimensional poverty—which extends beyond income scarcity to include deprivation in education, health, and basic services—shortens their childhood and prematurely pushes them into adult roles.Protest rallies and marches by retirees, workers, and students in IranAccording to a UNICEF report, inequality in access to public services such as healthcare and education traps poor children in a lifelong cycle of deprivation. For example, child laborers—whose numbers are estimated between 2 to 7 million—often work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions and are deprived of the right to education, a reality that perpetuates the cycle of poverty for Iran’s children and future generations.
Educational inequality: a future at risk
The crisis of educational poverty in Iran is a warning bell for the future of generations. A report by the Research Center of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament) shows that 42% of Iranian children face educational poverty, a condition directly linked to their families’ economic hardship. Furthermore, 41% of Iranian students do not reach the minimum global reading literacy level, a figure that highlights the deep educational divide between privileged and deprived segments of society.The reduction in public education funding, along with rising educational costs for families, has forced many children to drop out of school. Economic policies that have fueled urban marginalization and social isolation have pushed children into forced labor, early marriage, and even delinquency. Reports show that child laborers are exposed to physical and mental illnesses, malnutrition, and various forms of abuse, while the regime has failed to present any comprehensive plan to address these issues.Increasing Poverty and High School Students Entering the Workforce in Iran https://t.co/NFTYLW2quE pic.twitter.com/I6XmoKSGYP
— Iran Focus (@Iran_Focus) December 16, 2024
Iran’s Dairy Market Faces Impending 42% Price Hike
Following a roughly 28% increase in the price of raw milk in Iran, media outlets predict a sharp 42% rise in dairy product prices in the coming days.
In recent days, Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Pricing Council officially announced that the price of one kilogram of raw milk at the farmgate has increased from 180,000 rials (approximately $0.21) to 230,000 rials (approximately $0.27).
The state-run Hamshahri newspaper reported on Monday, May 19, that in September 2024, a 20% increase in raw milk prices had led to a 30% rise in the prices of regulated products such as cheese, yogurt, and pasteurized milk sold in bottles and bags.
Soaring Dairy Exports Amid Plummeting Domestic Consumption in IranThis surge indicated that each percentage increase in raw milk price led to an average 1.4% rise in dairy product prices, whereas Iran’s Dairy Industry Association had claimed the impact should be only 0.7%. This price hike comes amid years of inflation in Iran that have pushed a growing number of people into poverty. The official monthly wage for Iranian workers is, at best, around $180, while the cost of a basic household living basket is estimated to be nearly three times that amount. Economic experts say that approximately one-third of Iran’s population cannot meet their basic needs.
How Much Will Dairy Products Increase?
Referring to past trends, Hamshahri estimated that a similar price surge in dairy products is expected this year. According to reports, the dairy industry appears to have reached a consensus on implementing a 42% increase in dairy product prices. Hamshahri noted that amid Iran’s inflationary spiral, consumers cannot withstand higher dairy prices, yet dairy farmers also view the guaranteed price of 230,000 rials per kilogram of raw milk as “unfair and a serious threat to the survival of the country’s livestock industry.”Sharp Rise in Food Prices in Iran; Meat and Rice Lead the SurgeIn recent years, staple food items consumed by families have experienced some of the highest inflation rates. In November 2024, the Research Center of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce reported that by the end of 2021, around 32 million people in the country were living below the poverty line (specifically food poverty), and warned that due to several years of intense inflation, this trend is rapidly expanding.
Iran: 15 Years On, Burial Site of Farzad Kamangar and Others Still Unknown
Fifteen years after the secret execution of Farzad Kamangar—a teacher and human rights activist—and four other political prisoners named Ali Heydarian, Shirin Alam-Houli, Farhad Vakili, and Mehdi Eslamian, there is still no information about their remains or place of burial. They were hanged on May 9, 2010, in Evin Prison in Tehran.
The judiciary and security agencies of Iran’s regime have prevented the return of these five executed political prisoners’ bodies to their families and have refused to disclose their burial locations.
Over the past four decades, Iran’s regime has repeatedly violated the fundamental rights of families of those killed or executed for political reasons by withholding the bodies and refusing to return them to their loved ones.
1,164 Executions in Less Than a Year in IranForced disappearance constitutes a violation of Article 6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”
Arrest and Execution
Kamangar, Heydarian, Alam-Houli, Vakili, and Eslamian were arrested by the security forces of Iran’s regime between August 2006 and May 2010. After months of physical and psychological torture, they were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in three separate cases. On May 9, 2010, they were hanged in a secret execution in the parking area of Evin Prison without due process and without informing their lawyers or families. The issuance and execution of the death sentences for these five political prisoners triggered a wave of domestic and international protests. Kamangar’s lawyer accused Iran’s regime judiciary of lacking independence and acting politically in handling his client’s case, stating: “The court did not hear the arguments, and my client is innocent.” Human rights organizations have repeatedly declared that the legal proceedings in these cases were rife with clear violations, including unlawful arrest, prolonged solitary confinement, lack of access to legal counsel during detention, physical and psychological torture, and numerous violations of due process. At the time, it was reported that Kamangar, Vakili, and Heydarian were convicted as “mohareb” (enemy of God) and sentenced to death in a seven-minute trial without any chance to defend themselves.“Free Teacher Day”
On the first anniversary of the execution of these political prisoners, several teachers’ associations in Iran commemorated the legacy of Farzad Kamangar—a teacher, union activist, and human rights defender—and, coinciding with Teacher Appreciation Week in Iran, declared May 9 as “Free Teacher Day.” In one of his letters from prison, Kamangar described himself as a public-school teacher from the city of Kamyaran with twelve years of teaching experience. He was a board member of the Kamyaran Teachers’ Union, a member of the editorial board of the educational-cultural monthly “Ruyan,” a board member of the Kamyaran Environmental Society (ASAK), and a member of the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization (HRANA). This passage from Kamangar’s March 2008 letter from prison has been etched into the collective memory of the Iranian people: “Remember not to turn your back on poetry, on song, and on your dreams. Teach your children to be, for their homeland, for today and the days to come, a child made of poetry and rain.”Global Lawmakers Unite in Paris to Back NCRI and Maryam Rajavi’s Vision for a Democratic Iran
On May 17, 2025, an international conference held in Paris brought together lawmakers and dignitaries from across the globe to endorse a new and assertive international stance on Iran. The event served as a powerful show of support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, who delivered the keynote address.
Mrs. Rajavi opened by condemning four decades of appeasement towards the Iranian regime, asserting that reform from within is impossible. “The religious dictatorship ruling Iran is the source of terrorism and warmongering in the region,” she stated. She stressed that the regime’s repression, nuclear ambitions, and regional interference are core to its survival. Declaring the solution lies in regime change, she emphasized, “The real solution is the overthrow of the regime by the people of Iran and the Iranian Resistance.”
Mrs. Rajavi presented the NCRI and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as a viable democratic alternative, committed to establishing a secular, democratic, and non-nuclear republic. She urged European governments to take concrete actions: “Add the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the list of terrorist organizations,” “activate the snapback mechanism,” and “recognize the legitimate resistance of brave young Iranians fighting the IRGC.”
The conference saw support from 560 UK lawmakers, led by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who presented a book signed by 190 MPs. “It is time to change course on Iran policy,” he declared. He insisted, “The only diplomatic relations we need are with the NCRI, Madam Rajavi, and the Iranian people,” and added optimistically, “Next year, we’re going to a free and democratic Tehran.”
Support of 560 British Lawmakers from Both Houses for the Iranian ResistanceFormer Cabinet Minister Rt Hon David Jones lamented the failure of Western diplomacy, highlighting Iran’s capacity to produce nuclear weapons: “despite over two decades of diplomatic efforts, Iran now possesses enough uranium for multiple nuclear weapons.” He urged the immediate activation of the JCPOA’s snapback mechanism and declared support for “Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan.” Baroness O’Loan underscored the regime’s misogyny and mass executions as signs of its desperation. Praising the NCRI’s plan, she announced that “over 330 members of the House of Lords have signed today’s parliamentary endorsement of the statement for Iranian freedom,” and added, “The UK must now proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organization.” Former MP Mark Williams praised Rajavi’s leadership, saying: “When the history of Iran’s future democratic republic is written, it will record how you and Masoud Rajavi organized, led the cause… and built a viable democratic alternative.” He endorsed IRGC proscription as “a case for terrorism.” William Powell, of the Welsh Assembly, declared: “Iran will again and again soon be free… on the basis of Madam Rajavi and the program for government, the Ten-Point Plan.” He urged recognition of the NCRI as the provisional government. Former MP Martyn Day condemned the death penalty as “state sanctioned terror” and affirmed: “At the heart of that policy must be support for Iran’s Democratic alternative, which is yourself, madam Rajavi, and the NCRI.” MP Martin Vickers expressed growing support for Rajavi’s plan: “If we keep up the pressure, we will secure democracy and freedom in Iran.” Lord Dholakia urged referral of Iran’s human rights abuses to the UN Security Council and advocated for a UN tribunal. Former Romanian Prime Minister Petre Roman likened Iran’s situation to Romania before the fall of Ceausescu. “Suddenly, we understood we are not alone,” he recalled. He expressed confidence: “With the NCRI and under the leadership of president Rajavi, the future of free Iran is under preparation right now.” Canadian MP Judy Sgro acknowledged the NCRI’s role in exposing regime crimes: “It’s really only coming out because of the work of NCRI.” She highlighted Canada’s IRGC designation and urged other nations to follow suit. Canadian Senator Michael L. MacDonald decried Iran’s 1,145 executions in eight months and praised imprisoned dissidents. He declared: “Mrs. Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan is the viable democratic alternative.” Irish Senator Gerard Craughwell stated, “The time for talking is over,” and urged Iranians: “You need to rise up… and say enough.” MP James O’Connor warned, “The regime in Tehran cannot be trusted,” citing secret weapons work. He praised Rajavi’s plan as a “real path to freedom.” Lawyer and former Irish Senate VP Catherine Noone called the plan “eminently sensible,” adding, “to do away with tyranny… seems like such a basic thing to want to do.” Senator Mary Fitzpatrick recalled Mahsa Amini’s death and repression of protests, declaring, “We absolutely reject the dictatorial behavior.” She endorsed “an alternative plan for a free and democratic Iran.” MP Erin McGreehan lauded women’s leadership in the NCRI as “unprecedented and unique in Middle Eastern politics.” She said, “This plan offers a democratic, inclusive, and secular vision for a future Iran.” Former Senator Gerry Horkan affirmed, “The NCRI represents and puts forward that alternative… with a clear transition plan.” He called for UN Charter Chapter Seven action. MP Tony McCormack framed the event as a “united call for action,” stating, “The regime will understand that the era and culture of impunity is over.” Portuguese professor António Carmona Rodrigues blamed regime mismanagement for Iran’s water and energy crises. He praised the NCRI and expressed hope: “I hope that this day of freedom will come very soon, very soon to Iran.” Former MEP Dorien Rookmaker called Rajavi “one of the most visionary leaders of our time.” She declared, “There’s no reason to not support [the Ten-Point Plan],” and criticized appeasement. Patrick Lussi of Geneva’s Grand Council announced widespread Swiss support and said: “It is evident that this regime cannot be reformed.” He emphasized the IRGC designation as a “moral [and] strategic” imperative.
Organized smuggling of home appliances in Iran
Iran’s current ban on the import of home appliances has turned into a driver of increased smuggling, supported by various state institutions and major domestic manufacturers. The ban was implemented under the directive of the Iranian regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, allegedly to support domestic production.
According to data from Iran’s Headquarters for Combating Smuggling of Goods and Currency, the volume of home appliance smuggling in 2023 was estimated at around $2 billion. Some reports indicate that at least one-third of home appliances on the Iranian market have been smuggled into the country.
Rising Prices of Potatoes and Appliances in Iran Due to Supply and Exchange IssuesExperts argue that the import ban has not improved domestic production. Instead, it has created monopolies, reduced product quality, encouraged illegal imports of foreign goods, and led to the resale of these smuggled goods under domestic brand labels. The high volume of home appliance smuggling, along with evidence implicating some major domestic manufacturers in unofficial imports, suggests that the continued insistence on the import ban serves more to protect the interests of those benefiting from organized smuggling networks than to support national production. Hossein Samsami, a member of the Economic Committee in Iran’s regime parliament, criticized the high volume of smuggled goods—especially home appliances and consumer goods—on Thursday, May 15. He pointed out a key issue: of the country’s $50 billion in non-oil exports last year, $20 billion was never repatriated. Samsami questioned the oversight mechanisms at entry points for smuggled goods. He stated that part of the currency used to import smuggled items comes from non-oil export revenues, indicating a hidden and illegal financial structure and official support for the entry of these goods.
The Prevalence of Smuggled Goods in Iran’s MarketAnother indicator of the organized nature of the smuggling networks is the large volume of seizures regularly reported by the media. Such large-scale smuggling of home appliances would not be possible without the coordination and involvement of some supervisory, security, and customs authorities. An analysis of these seizures shows that the goods were not brought in through unofficial or mule routes but mainly entered through official customs channels. Since the beginning of the Iranian new year (March 21), multiple reports have emerged about the discovery of large warehouses full of smuggled home appliances across various cities. For instance, a warehouse containing smuggled goods valued at 1 trillion rials (approximately $120,482) was uncovered in Babol; a similar warehouse was found in Eslamshahr; and 4,000 smuggled home appliance items were confiscated in southern Tehran. These are only part of the officially recorded seizures, while the volume of undetected smuggled goods is likely several times higher.
The link between domestic home appliance production and smuggling
The simultaneous rise in domestic production and the increase of smuggled goods in the market is another indicator of the connection between some domestic manufacturers and smuggling networks. While the economy is in recession and market demand is reportedly down, an increase in supply likely points to the influx of low-quality foreign products being sold under fake labels. In such conditions, some domestic manufacturers exploit the monopoly created by the import ban by rebranding imported goods and selling them under domestic brand names. Among them, the Entekhab Industrial Group, one of the largest home appliance manufacturers in the country, has repeatedly been accused of involvement in smuggling over the past years. In the mid-2010s, the discovery of 52 containers of smuggled refrigerators in Hormozgan customs—registered under the label of refrigerator parts—linked the company’s name to a smuggling case. In recent years, the discovery of shipments containing hundreds of containers of home appliances—imported under the guise of industrial parts—has raised serious questions about the role of major companies, military-economic institutions, and corrupt financial networks in securing foreign exchange and clearing goods through official customs channels. The case involving the stockpiling of 426 containers of Bosch-branded home appliances, which were seized in 2020 for falsified customs documents and eventually handed over to the Organization for the Collection and Sale of State-Owned Properties in 2022, is a clear example of officially smuggled goods entering through customs.Monopoly and the consequences of home appliance smuggling in Iran
The explosion at Rajaei Port once again exposed the structural corruption in Iran’s customs system, as some of the suspicious containers involved were filled with smuggled home appliances. Small appliance companies have repeatedly stated that monopolies created in favor of large corporations are the primary reason for recession and the shutdown of many production units. According to industry insiders, the import ban has become a tool for rent-seeking, and some influential companies, through smuggling and selling at inflated prices, have effectively eliminated competition. During the thirteenth government, the policy of bartering goods for oil—especially with China—led to increased entry of home appliances through quasi-governmental companies and affiliated institutions. These entities, benefiting from currency privileges and oversight exemptions, imported goods that now hold a significant share of the market. In March 2024, Ehsan Fadaei, a home appliance industry expert, stated that 35% of the home appliance market is comprised of smuggled goods. He emphasized that part of these goods entered the country using government-subsidized foreign exchange and were declared under different categories. According to him, items such as fuel and medicine—sold at subsidized prices in Iran—are exported out of the country and replaced by smuggled home appliances.The Sixty-Ninth Week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign In 44 Prisons Across Iran
Political prisoners in Iran are on hunger strike in 44 prisons during the sixty-ninth week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign. This campaign was initiated by prisoners to protest against executions and to advocate for their abolition. It has continued for more than a year.
In this week’s statement, the striking prisoners expressed heartfelt gratitude for the widespread solidarity of the Iranian people with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign.
They also referred to the power and water outages affecting the public and disrupting people’s lives, writing: “At a time when the country is facing systemic corruption and the inefficiency of the ruling authoritarian structure—conditions that have disrupted citizens’ lives and deprived them of basic necessities such as water and electricity—the issuance and implementation of inhumane death sentences has not only not stopped, but has in fact increased with the clear will of the regime.”
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign: Ongoing hunger strike in 41 prisons across IranThe full text of the statement from the prisoners participating in the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign is as follows: In its sixty-ninth week, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign expanded to include the prisons of Mahabad, Bukan, and Yasuj, bringing the total to 44 participating prisons. At a time when the country is plagued by systemic corruption and the inefficiency of the ruling authoritarian structure, disrupting citizens’ lives and depriving them of basic necessities such as water and electricity, the regime has not only failed to halt the issuance and execution of inhumane death sentences, but has escalated them with clear intent. The regime consistently refrains from publishing accurate statistics on prisoner numbers and executions. However, based on reports received by the campaign, since April 20, more than 129 people—including four women—have been executed. Just last week, 25 prisoners were executed, including two juvenile offenders who were hanged in Malayer Prison and Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. This was done without any regard for public opinion or international human rights bodies, stripping them of their “right to life.”
1,164 Executions in Less Than a Year in IranIn response to this violence and systematic violation of the “right to life,” protests by the families of death row prisoners have increased, and the campaign has received growing support from youth across various cities. These expressions of support have taken diverse and creative forms among the public. We, the members of the campaign, salute all supporters of “No to Execution” and call on all people—especially the youth—to raise their voices in every street and alley against this inhumane punishment and support this movement in any way possible. We invite all opponents of the death penalty to stand with grieving families and not leave them alone during protest gatherings. Last week, thanks to the efforts of activists both inside and outside the country, widespread solidarity with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign took shape. We sincerely thank all individuals, organizations, political parties, civil groups, and human rights institutions who participated in this grassroots movement. Additionally, a group of prisoners in Mahabad, Bukan, and Yasuj prisons have announced that starting this week, they are joining the campaign and will go on hunger strike every Tuesday. With the inclusion of these three prisons, the total number of participating prisons has reached 44. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, prisoners in 44 prisons will go on hunger strike for the sixty-ninth consecutive week.
Per capita meat consumption of Iranian workers drops to zero
Officials of Iran’s regime say the government can no longer afford to continue providing subsidized foreign exchange for the import of red meat. This comes after the government had already cut off subsidies for many essential goods such as medicine, medical equipment, and numerous food items.
According to the Planning and Budget Organization of Iran’s regime, red meat imports will no longer be eligible for preferential exchange rates. The announcement of this policy alone has significantly driven up the price of red meat per kilogram. Meanwhile, on Sunday, May 18, Iranian online meat retailers announced, “product unavailability until further notice,” suggesting an ongoing price surge.
Sharp Rise in Food Prices in Iran; Meat and Rice Lead the SurgeOn May 18, the average price of lamb and veal in Tehran stores exceeded 15 million rials (approximately $18) per kilogram. This comes as Ali-Asghar Maleki, the head of Iran’s Lamb Meat Union, had already stated that red meat has become “like a luxury and unattainable item” for the public. It is worth noting that, at best, the minimum monthly wage for a worker with two children is around 150 million rials (approximately $181), whereas a household’s minimum living expenses are estimated to be two to three times that amount. In September 2024, Ahmad Shaad, the secretary of the Iranian Association of Raw Animal Product Importers, citing Central Bank statistics, stated that “the per capita consumption of red meat among Iranians does not even reach one kilogram per year and stands at about 700 grams per person annually.” However, the global average annual red meat consumption is about 8.98 kilograms per person, and in the United States, this figure reaches approximately 38 kilograms per adult per year. In a report titled “Will wage-earners’ meat consumption drop to zero?”, the regime-affiliated ILNA news agency wrote that if subsidized foreign currency for red meat is removed, eliminating the 20% share of cheaper meat that was previously imported using government rates, meat prices will skyrocket in the coming days and “this essential protein item will disappear entirely from dinner tables.” Faramarz Tofighi, a labor rights activist, told the state-run newspaper Iran: “The reasoning is that because we don’t have dollars, we cut off subsidized currency for red meat. Because we don’t have dollars, we also cut off subsidized currency for livestock feed. This means they are playing with the lifeline of the people, and they must know that the wage-earning class no longer has the strength to shoulder the government’s mistakes any further.” Iranian media have also refuted the claim made by Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, the regime’s Minister of Agriculture, who said after last week’s cabinet meeting that “the price of red meat is less than 10 million rials.” Reports on meat prices dated May 17 indicate that red meat—especially lamb—is “well above 10 million rials.” While Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s president, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker, have repeatedly stressed Iran’s massive budget deficit due to Western sanctions in recent months, last week Saeed Ohadi, the head of the regime’s Foundation of Martyrs, announced that “120,000 commemorative ceremonies” will be held across Iran within a week for the first anniversary of the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi. If each of the 120,000 events uses only 1 billion rials (approximately $1,205) from public funds, the total cost for Raisi’s first death anniversary will be at least 120 trillion rials—about $145 million.
Support of 560 British Lawmakers from Both Houses for the Iranian Resistance
Five hundred sixty lawmakers from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in the United Kingdom declared their support for the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). This joint statement, signed by 230 members of the House of Commons and 330 members of the House of Lords, expressed support for Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan for the future of Iran.
The statement called for support of Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan for tomorrow’s Iran.
British lawmakers emphasized that:
Nuclear and military programs: Under the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023, the UK enforces sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and other destabilizing conduct.
Criminal proxies in Europe: The April 2025 designation of the Foxtrot Network imposed asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualifications.
This moves targeted Iranian-backed organized crime and intimidation campaigns across Europe.
Human rights and terrorism: To date, over 450 individuals and entities linked to Iran have been sanctioned for human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and terror plots—including attempts to kidnap or kill British nationals.
Increased scrutiny of influence operations: Starting July 2025, Iran will be placed on the enhanced tier of the UK’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), aimed at curbing covert Iranian activities in the UK.
The statement also called for the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Malign Global Operations: The IRGC, through the Quds Force and networks like Foxtrot, carries out extraterritorial operations that include violence, intimidation, and subversion.
Blacklisting would send a strong signal of zero tolerance for such state-sponsored terrorism.
Alignment with Allies: A formal IRGC designation would align UK policy with the United States and parts of the European Union, increasing the impact of multilateral sanctions and strengthening collective diplomatic leverage.
Community Protection: UK-based dissidents, Jewish citizens, and political activists have faced persistent threats.
Blacklisting the IRGC would enable more robust enforcement measures and enhanced protection for at-risk communities.
British lawmakers have also called for the recognition of the Iranian people’s struggle against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), emphasizing that during the 2022 uprising, the people of Iran rejected all forms of dictatorship—both monarchical and theocratic.
They called for a democratic republic. Appeasement of this collapsing regime undermines democratic values, strengthens its repressive policies, and weakens global security.
Given that the regime has completely blocked all avenues for political activity in Iran, the international community must recognize the Iranian people’s right to change the regime.
The Iranian opposition, with its democratic platform and the ten-point plan presented by Maryam Rajavi—the elected president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran—calls for national unity and offers a roadmap for ending the religious dictatorship and transferring sovereignty to the representatives of the people.
