BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. The Iranian government is seeking to curb rent-seeking and corruption in the country through a comprehensive citizen support policy, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, Trend reports.
He made the statement at the “National Conference on the Status of Islamic Councils and Public Participation in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran” in Tehran.
Pezeshkian noted that structural reforms are not quick or easy to implement. Recently, measures were taken to combat rent and monopoly linked to foreign currency, as previously, some individuals earned hundreds of thousands of rials per dollar by buying foreign currency at low rates, creating hidden subsidies and clear inequities.
The Iranian president explained that by stopping the practice of providing foreign currency at low prices to certain individuals for importing specific products, the funds are now directly transferred to citizens’ accounts. This approach not only reduces rent and corruption but also ensures fairness in fund distribution.
He added that some critics feared the program would trigger inflation, but calculations show that the designated 10 million rials (about $10.2) per citizen would not be reduced and could increase if foreign currency values rise.
"Under the citizen support program, 8 million rials (about $8.2) are allocated to cover essential and daily consumption goods. Accounting for inflation in meat, poultry, and other essentials, the amount has effectively risen to 13 million rials (about $13.3). In other words, 5 million rials (about $5) of inflation has accumulated within this framework. Based on this calculation, each person is planned to receive 10 million rials, effectively providing the population with 5 million rials above the actual inflation adjustment," he noted.
The government launched this comprehensive support program on January 4 to secure food safety, improve living conditions, and enhance economic stability amid ongoing financial pressures.
Recent sharp declines in the value of the Iranian currency have continued, and even with subsidized foreign currency for imports, the prices of essential goods keep rising.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel