Iran’s Government Orders Comprehensive Subsidy Funding Plan for 75 Million Citizens

Iran’s government economic team held a meeting focused on securing funding mechanisms for targeted subsidies aimed at over 75 million citizens during the second half of 2026, according to reports from Iranian state media and government-aligned channels ^[1][2][3].

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref issued a directive requiring the development of a comprehensive package within one week that would precisely determine both the sources of subsidy funds and their specific uses, according to the reports ^[1][2][3]. Aref emphasized that ensuring the livelihoods of the population remains a core government priority, framing the initiative as central to state policy.

The subsidy targeting program, known as “haddafmandi-ye yaaranha” in Persian, has long been a contentious policy mechanism in Iran’s economy. The program aims to direct welfare payments to specific population segments rather than universal distribution, though the exact targeting criteria and beneficiary categories were not detailed in available reports.

The directive signals heightened attention to welfare funding mechanisms at a time when Iran faces ongoing economic pressures. The requirement for a detailed accounting of both revenue sources and expenditure uses suggests government concern about transparency and sustainability of the subsidy framework, though the reports provided no detail on what fiscal challenges or constraints prompted the urgent one-week timeline.

The announcement appeared simultaneously across multiple Iranian government communication channels, including the official Farsi News Agency (خبرگزاری فارس) and the Pezeshkian administration’s official supporters account (حامیان پزشکیان), indicating coordinated messaging from the administration ^[1][2][3].