Amid Fears of 'Uprising', Iran Prepares for 'Gasoline Protests'

Concerns are rising in Iran over the possibility of new protests over the gasoline crisis, as the government searches for options to reduce consumption and address supply shortfalls amid increasing economic and living pressures.

On Monday evening, Iran's police commander, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, warned of a plot by the "enemy" to incite unrest in Iran, urging a heightened state of security readiness and caution against complacency.

Speaking in the northern city of Sari, Radan said, "The third war has not ended yet," emphasizing the need for full preparedness to confront what he described as "enemy maneuvers," and warning against any security surprises.

He added: "The enemy is seeking to create chaos across the country or parts of it," warning of the potential use of certain domestic issues as pretexts to spark unrest.

Radan identified key issues as living conditions, gasoline, the economy, and unemployment—indicating areas that represent public pressure points and could become protest triggers if economic conditions worsen.

Radan's remarks come as Iran faces intensifying economic pressures, alongside a declining value of its local currency, rising prices, and escalating debate over the future of gasoline prices and fuel quotas.

Earlier, Iranian authorities announced they were exploring new measures to manage gasoline consumption, amid fears that any reduction in rations or price increases could worsen citizens' living conditions.

Radan's warning reflects official concerns about the potential convergence of economic and social pressures with security challenges, possibly leading to protests or disturbances—especially amid ongoing regional tensions and Western pressure on Tehran.

Radan called for maintaining the highest level of readiness, stressing that the current phase demands preparedness to prevent any attempts to exploit internal conditions to undermine national stability.