Greek Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos has unveiled a package of emergency economic measures designed to shield domestic households from surging prices sparked by the escalating Middle East war.
Speaking on national television, Mr. Theodorikakos slammed market profiteering as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the violent aftermath of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination severely disrupt global energy shipping. He assured the public that the sweeping regulations, currently awaiting final Cabinet approval, will impose strict price caps, mandate supply probes, and enforce strategic stockpiling to prevent speculative gouging.
"The Middle East feeds a quarter of world energy; prolonged strikes risk massive European inflation via shipping costs," Mr. Theodorikakos said.
Still, he noted that aggressive market inspections by the independent Consumer Protection Authority have already curbed domestic price spikes. "Profiteering vanishes with enforcement—there is no tolerance for speculators."
Beyond the economic defenses, the minister vigorously defended Greece's sovereign military maneuvers amid the regional upheaval.
He firmly dismissed Turkish complaints regarding the militarization of eastern Greek islands, describing the recent deployment of F-16 fighter jets and naval frigates to Cyprus—alongside new anti-aircraft batteries on Karpathos—as a non-negotiable, historic duty.
Despite the immediate geopolitical turmoil, Mr. Theodorikakos highlighted potential long-term strategic benefits for the nation.
He emphasized that Greece's robust NATO alliances and expanding role as an energy transit hub connecting the Balkans and the European Union will ultimately boost domestic job creation. Meanwhile, government evacuation operations remain highly active, with more than 200 Greek citizens successfully repatriated from the war zone so far.