Iran faces power outages as Rock Capital protest



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The power cuts hit Tehran this week as protests shook the Iranian capital because of economic difficulties, which saw the country's currency fall rapidly in recent months.

Under the imminent threat of new US sanctions, the government has banned more than 1,300 foreign imports that can be produced domestically. The traders reacted to the economic problems this week by organizing big demonstrations and closing their stores in Tehran's Grand Bazaar.

In another sign of growing economic turmoil, Tehran suffered a crash on Wednesday, reported Radio Free Europe. The Minister of Energy, Reza Ardakanian, said that electricity consumption had increased by 28% over last year, leaving the country's infrastructure unable to respond to the request.

 ] 2018-06-27T023352Z_3_LYNXMPEE5P1NS_RTROPTP_3_OIL-OPEC- IRAN A gas flare on an oil rig in the Soroush oil fields is visible alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf, Iran, on July 25 2005. In another sign of growing economic turmoil, Tehran.
REUTERS / Raheb Homavandi / Photo File

Ardakanian says in April that the country is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years, leaving power generation to power plants hydroelectric power to a minimum level. The minister warned at the time that blackouts were inevitable, urging Iranians to reduce their electricity consumption.

While the blackouts affect Tehran, the protests spread in other cities of Iran as the currency of the country collapses by almost half. the last six months.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has attempted to alleviate the protesters' discontent by broadcasting a live speech on the television. State on Tuesday.

"Even in the worst case, I promise that the basic needs of the Iranians will be satisfied, we have enough sugar, wheat and cooking oil." According to Radio Farda, the merchants told Reuters that They were not protesting against the regime in power, they are protesting against the economic problems in the country and complain that it has become increasingly difficult to keep their affairs in the current situation, saying that everyone is "angry"

 GettyImages-983551104 Iranian protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in central Tehran on June 25, 2018. – Traders in the grand bazaar of the Iranian capital held today. a protest strike against the collapse rial on the foreign exchange market, protesters took to the streets

Internationally, oil prices have climbed as the market responds to US demand to stop buying Iranian crude. Some experts have warned that prices could rise to over $ 90 a barrel, against a current price of just over $ 70.

Addressing Bloomberg, Sara Vakhshouri, consultant for SVB Energy International, based in Washington DC, said that According to Vakhshouri's analysis, "Iran can not really do much for maintain its level of export. "

At the same time, US allies do not agree with the sanctions provided by Trump. Their impact will also have negative repercussions on Europe and other traditional allies, many of whom are already frustrated by the announcement of new US fares.

"Countries around the world – including major US allies and partners – are already in the crosshairs," wrote Suzanne Maloney, Deputy Director of Foreign Policy and Research Fellow at the Center for Development. Middle East policy, energy security and climate policy at the Brookings Institution

stated that "the uncompromising application of Trump's sanctions will deepen the downfall of Washington with its allies in Europe, which has initiated nuclear diplomacy with Tehran and deeply irritated by Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement. "

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