The rising cost of chicken in Iran has resulted in growing public resentment towards the government, claimed a report by Reuters on Sunday, with some citizens now blaming government mismanagement and international economic sanctions for the sudden increase in chicken prices.
Iran’s oil output has fallen dramatically since the most recent European and US sanctions came into effect on July 1. However, analysts have warned that the “full scale of the Iranian sanctions is yet to be seen”.
Iran’s biggest oil tanker operator, NITC, has sent its super-tankers for a makeover, reported the Financial Times on Thursday, with the freshly-painted tankers now having new names, new flags and new home ports, in order to avoid being tracked by Western officials.
Tough Western financial sanctions aimed at forcing Iran to abandon its nuclear programme have already taken its toll on Tehran’s state finances. Iran’s crude exports are down by about 600,000 barrels per day, and estimates suggest that Iran have lost more than $10 billion in oil revenues this year.
In an indication of how successful the Western blockade has been, Iran’s oil output has sunk to its lowest levels in 20 years with crude shipments expected to drop further when a European Union oil embargo takes effect on July 1.
Attempting to counteract Western sanctions on Iranian oil exports, the Iranian government has extended easier credit terms to Asian oil buyers. Asian countries are collectively the biggest buyer of Iranian crude, accounting for about 65 percent of Tehran’s sales.
The Financial Times reported yesterday that Tehran has been offering a handful of potential customers in Asia 180 days of free credit, citing unnamed industry sources.
Speaking ahead of fresh talks over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he is confident his country will be able to withstand years of financial blockage that threatens to destroy its oil export market.
In a bid to convey a message of political and economic strength, Ahmadinejad said his country has a large amount of financial reserves that would allow Iran to survive for years without having to export oil.
Iran has banned all forms of merchandise related to the popular cartoon series The Simpsons in the country, claimed a report by Reuters on Monday, with the cartoon family joining Barbie as the latest American pop culture icon targeted by the nation’s morality police.
Iran is ready to commence talks over its nuclear programme but western countries have been deliberately attempting to dodge any discussions, claimed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a public rally in the southeastern city of Kerman on Thursday.
Iranian authorities have implemented new guidelines for Internet cafes within the country– including the compulsory collection of detailed personal information on customers as well as their online activity – in an attempt to clamp down on Internet expression by its citizens.
The Iranian Riyal fell to a record low against the US dollar on Monday, after fresh US sanctions imposed severe penalties and restrictions on foreign financial institutions that had dealing with the Iranian central bank.
