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 during the “National Conference on
the Status of Islamic Councils and Public Participation in the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran” in Tehran, Trend reports.
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.
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