Government-imposed bread price controls Delayed subsidy payments Rising production costs (utilities and raw materials) Decreased income
Goals
Adjustment of bread prices in accordance with rising production costs
A bakery in Iran
The 2025 Iranian Bakers' Protests were a series of demonstrations that took place in May and July 2025 across multiple cities in Iran. Bakers gathered outside local government offices to protest against harsh economic conditions, delayed subsidies, soaring production costs, and the reduction of government-allocated flour quotas. Protesters also criticized systemic mismanagement of the flour distribution system and economic policies affecting the baking sector. Some demonstrators directly criticized Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for supporting government policies and ignoring the demands of the industry.[1][2][3]
Bakers across Iran face increasing operational challenges due to strict price regulations on bread, unpaid government subsidies, rising costs of water, gas, and electricity, and the inflated price of raw materials. These factors have significantly reduced profit margins for bakery owners.[4][5]
A worsening energy crisis has further affected bakery operations. Frequent and unannounced power outages prevent bakers from operating their ovens, causing large amounts of dough to spoil. Protesters also cited systemic infrastructure failure and illegal electricity theft as major issues.[1][4]
Protests
During May 2025, demonstrations were held in several cities including Qom, Mashhad, Isfahan, and others. Bakers demanded permission to raise bread prices in line with inflation and production costs.[6][7]
28 May (Qom): Protesters rallied against sudden increases in flour prices and insurance premiums.[8]
1 June (Isfahan): Bakers protested the “Nanino” platform and subsidy payment delays outside the provincial government office.[9]
4 June (Ilam): A baker threw spoiled dough in front of the governor's office after a power outage ruined his inventory. He was later arrested.[10]
8 July (Rasht): Bakers protested against delays in payments from Nanino and local restrictions. Protesters warned that the strike could spread province-wide.[11]
12 July (Tehran): Bakers rallied outside the Chamber of Guilds. Bread prices rose up to 52% in provinces like Qom, Gilan, Khorasan Razavi, and Hamedan.[12][13]
20 July (Isfahan): A protest was held outside the Grain and Commerce Office demanding increased flour quotas and timely subsidy payments.[14]
23 July (Various cities): Continued blackouts prompted widespread frustration. One baker said, \"The power went out at 6am. We had to bake with phone flashlights and push the machine by hand.\"[15]
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