Iran's government has announced a new monthly payment of about $7 for citizens, aiming to ease economic hardship as protests intensify nationwide. The measure, revealed by a government spokesperson on state television, shifts resources from import subsidies to direct assistance, with roughly $10 billion now allocated to the public instead of subsidizing goods.

The payments, distributed as credits for purchasing goods, are expected to reach around 80 million people, constituting the majority of Iran's population. This move comes amid widespread demonstrations involving merchants, traders, and students, as inflation soars and the national currency continues to lose value.

Protests have spread to dozens of cities, with calls for regime change and reports of fatalities and arrests. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has responded by condemning the unrest, while security forces have reportedly detained numerous protesters, including children.