Iran has announced it will provide citizens with a monthly payment of approximately $7 to alleviate economic hardship as demonstrations expand nationwide, reports indicate.
The declaration was reportedly delivered on Monday by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani on Iranian State Television.
She stated the initiative aims to “preserve household purchasing power, control inflation, and ensure food security,” according to sources.
The outlet further described the plan as a shift toward providing direct aid to the public.
Under the new scheme, around $10 billion annually, previously used to subsidize specific imports, will instead be distributed directly to citizens.
Qualifying Iranians will receive one million Iranian tomans, equivalent to about $7, as credit usable for purchasing goods.
The labor minister stated the payments will be distributed to approximately 80 million individuals, constituting the majority of Iran’s population.
Iran’s economy has been severely impacted by sanctions, sparking widespread protests.
The national currency has depreciated by over half its value compared to the U.S. dollar.
According to reports, the Statistical Center of Iran, a state-run entity, noted in December that the average annual inflation rate hit 42.2%.
The payment announcement comes amidst protests involving merchants, traders, and university students, as reported by the Times. Markets have been closed, and campus rallies have taken place.
As earlier reported, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) stated that protests have occurred in 78 cities and 222 locations.
Demonstrators have called for an end to the regime led by 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The group alleges the regime has killed protesters, including three children, and arrested 990 individuals. HRAI added that Khamenei’s security forces have detained more than 40 children.
Fox Digital’s Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report.