Regional Market Regulation in Iran: A Conceptual and Operational Framework for Crisis Conditions

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Institute for Trade Studies and Research, Tehran, Iran.

2 Lecturer, Institute for Trade Studies and Research, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Institute for Trade Studies and Research, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author).

Abstract

Frequent disruptions in the supply of essential goods, intensified by economic sanctions and the recent 12-day regional war, have highlighted the structural fragility of Iran’s market regulation system and the need for more resilient governance arrangements. Despite extensive government intervention, the absence of an explicit and coherent model for regional market regulation remains a critical gap. This study addresses this deficiency by proposing a conceptual and operational framework that links national policymaking with regional and provincial capacities to improve both equity and efficiency in essential goods markets. The research adopts a three-phase methodological design. In the first phase, regional units were delineated using demographic, productive, and infrastructural indicators, drawing on domestic planning documents and relevant international experiences. In the second phase, key indicators related to supply capacity, demand conditions, storage, and distribution infrastructure were identified and weighted through expert consensus, employing the Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on inputs from nine specialists. In the third phase, a Composite Index (CI) was constructed to evaluate and rank alternative regionalization scenarios across four dimensions: productive and infrastructural balance, population homogeneity, spatial distribution of strong provinces, and managerial concentration. The results indicate that a five-region configuration provides the most effective balance among efficiency, equity, and administrative feasibility, outperforming both more centralized and more fragmented alternatives. This configuration enables clearer allocation of responsibilities and strengthens coordination among governance levels. Accordingly, the study advances a three-tier governance framework comprising national leadership and policy direction, regional coordination and decision-making, and provincial-level execution. By systematizing regional market regulation within a multi-level governance structure, this study contributes to the literature on crisis management and regulatory governance. Practically, the proposed model enhances the resilience of essential goods markets under both normal and crisis conditions and offers a scalable foundation for future, commodity-specific operationalization in Iran and other developing economies.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Applied Economics Studies in Iran
Volume 15, Issue 57
May 2026
Pages 211-239

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