Fuel rationing aimed to help low-income social classes: Government

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has defended its decision to ration fuel and increase gasoline prices, saying the measure is aimed at supporting low-income households and establishing social justice.

According to Press TV, Ali Rabiei, spokesman for the administration, said at a press conference in Tehran on Monday that the plan to raise gasoline fees was part of efforts to support the low- and middle-income people in the country at the time of economic sanctions.

“Under the current circumstances that the country is facing the most unprecedented sanctions and pressures, the main reason for adjusting prices is to promote social justice or to move toward that [goal]. The lower deciles of the society are under [financial and economic] pressure and the government feels obliged to support them,” Rabiei said.

The official added that the resources allocated to supporting the people’s livelihood would be available through adjusting fuel prices, adding that the best approach to help low-income households is to stem subsidies for the affluent and allocate them to the less endowed.

Stressing that the rich have enjoyed the lion's share of subsidies for gasoline, Rabiei said well-off families used to have 23 times more benefits from gasoline-related subsidies compared to lower income families and therefore, the most logical way possible was to raise the price of gasoline.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian administration's spokesman said there have been numerous requests in cities across the country from police to prevent riots and looting that followed gasoline rationing and and restore calm.

“There is certainly a fine line between detractors, those who are concerned about their livelihood, and those who used firearms,” Rabiei said.

Rabiei said at the presser that the establishment and the government regard protests as a right of people but stressed that protesters are different from rioters.

“Those hooligans who cause destruction with weapons and set property on fire are definitely different from those who voice their grievances in a peaceful manner,” Rabiei added.

The official further pointed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s support for rioters and said the support came as no surprise as the US official had already and brazenly supported the maximum sanctions on Tehran.

"You have lied to your people in the [US] election and deceived them during the election race, the discussions of which are now witnessed in Congress," Rabiei said. "You have not brought freedom, democracy, growth and development to any countries whatsoever, and our people are well aware of that."

SS