DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iranian truck drivers took to the streets on Wednesday, blocking roads and ports in response to a strike. The grievances include low pay, high charges, and escalating fuel prices.
The strike commenced last Thursday in Bandar Abbas, a key transport hub in southern Iran, and is now gaining momentum across the nation. The protests appear to be increasing in intensity, buoyed by notable opposition voices, and could evolve into a larger movement against the government.
Recently, the Iranian government revealed plans to hike truck fuel prices at the end of June from 4 cents per liter (15.14 cents per gallon) to around 50 cents per liter (approximately $1.90 per gallon). Despite having vast oil and gas reserves, Iran enjoys some of the lowest fuel prices globally. In comparison, the average gasoline price in the US was $3.16 per gallon as reported on Wednesday by AAA, a driver assistance service.
Support for truck drivers is evident among Iranian rebels. Renowned film director Jafar Panahi, a Winner of the Palme D’Or Award at Cannes, urged truck drivers to initiate a national strike last week.
“Strikes are a powerful call to the government. Enough is enough! End the rampant oppression and looting before everything is lost and nothing remains for the populace,” he stated on Instagram.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narju Mohammadi, who is currently imprisoned for charges related to national security and propaganda against Iran’s government, also expressed her support for the strike via X.
Videos shared on social media depict lines of trucks parked along major thoroughfares. The Iranian government claims its strategy aims to curb fuel smuggling into neighboring countries, where prices exceed $1 per liter (around $4 per gallon) in Pakistan.
Many previous rounds of anti-government protests in Iran have originated from economic grievances, including the demonstrations in 2017 and 2018. These protests faced severe crackdowns from Basij, a paramilitary force under police control in Iran.
In 2019, the government’s decision to eliminate gasoline subsidies triggered widespread protests, resulting in over 1,000 arrests and a temporary internet blackout. More recently, protests in 2022 erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police for not adhering to headscarf regulations.
On Saturday, Truck Driver Union official Jalal Musabi remarked on the impressive solidarity shown by truckers as they contend with rising fuel, spare parts, and repair costs.
The ongoing strike underscores the mounting economic pressures on Iran as it seeks relief from sanctions amidst negotiations with the US. The nation’s oil sector, a vital component of the economy, is severely affected by US sanctions tied to its nuclear program, a pivotal topic in Iran-US talks.
On Wednesday, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that lawmakers would address the strike during a Cabinet meeting and that the administration would take the concerns of truck drivers into account. State television broadcast footage of routine operations at truck terminals and ports.
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Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi contributed to this report from Tehran.
Source: apnews.com