Iran Offering Monthly Payments to Citizens to Cool Protests
The New York Times••world
Key Points:
- Iran’s government announced a plan to provide most citizens with a monthly payment of about $7 to help preserve purchasing power, control inflation, and ensure food security amid a deepening economic crisis.
- The payment is unlikely to significantly alleviate economic hardships, as the minimum monthly needs for most Iranians exceed $200.
- Protests triggered by economic pressures have spread to 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, with participants including merchants, traders, and university students demanding not only economic relief but also political change.
- Inflation in Iran surpassed 42 percent in December, and the national currency has lost more than half its value against the dollar over the past year, intensifying public discontent.
- Unlike previous widespread protests in 201
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