From food prices to system criticism in the blink of an eye

Goje sabz

, green tomatoes as they are called in Persian,

in Arabic.

Sour, green and crispy unripe plums whose taste experience is enhanced several levels with a little salt on.

Or

, so-called forest pears but which in Swedish is called medlar.

And then fresh almonds.  

Price increase leads to protests

This year, however, these delicious flavors get stuck in the throat.

The soaring food prices and huge inflation in Iran are starting to make people go on their knees.

For every bite, for every conversation, one is reminded of the aggravated situation there.  

Already in the winter of 2017, when the Iran agreement was at its height, relations with the West seemed to be lightening and sanctions eased, large-scale nationwide protests erupted in Iran.

Then it was the price of eggs that symbolized that the people had had enough.

The fruits of a then more prosperous Iran had not been harvested for the people.

But seemed to be stuck in a bottleneck in Tehran, according to the Iranians.

And by Tehran was meant those in power and their interests beyond national borders.

So it always has been

The slogans quickly developed into criticism of the regime, of its focus on Syria and Lebanon, and in the middle of it all stood a woman named Vida Movahed with her wavy raven-black hair exposed and a stick in her hand, waving a white veil.

It went from food prices to system criticism in the blink of an eye. 

And this is how it has always been.

The Iranians take to the streets when they are dissatisfied.

This is how they overthrew the shah in 1979 and this is how they defy the hawks who have been in power ever since.

Although such initiatives are becoming increasingly risky. 

"We are hungry"

After 2017, it was the gasoline protests of 2019, the absolute deadliest in Iran in decades.

Then the voices were raised again when the unbearable heat struck and the water ran out.

Then they said: we are thirsty.

Now the slogan is: we are hungry.

Everything basic in Persian cuisine has become more expensive.

Once again, the price of eggs has doubled.

Like chicken.

Cooking oil has increased by 400 percent and depending on the type of bread, it can cost ten times as much now for a

, as a sandwich is called in Persian.

It is as fundamental as the cheese sandwich is here in Sweden.

Called provocateurs

The reasons for the current crisis are many.

The war raging in Ukraine, the effects of the coron pandemic, the harsh sanctions and a corrupt state.  

The latest protests barely had time to get the world's spotlight on before new ones took over.

This time due to a building that collapsed in Abadan in southwestern Iran.

Several people were killed and the fear is that even more may be below the racial masses.

And once again, the slogans against the regime, against the president and against the supreme spiritual leader also sound.

The protesters are called provocateurs by the regime. 

Do not forget the salt

Talking about Iran now is extra heavy.

People's lives are getting tougher and the risks for visitors are getting higher.

Then what is edible and smells of better times becomes both a consolation and a dagger.

At the same time, a new Iran agreement is approaching.

But whether it means a better life for the Iranians and a stop to rampant food prices is a question that can not yet be answered. 

One thing is for sure though.

The season is soon over so you who manage to get hold of

: do not forget the salt!