The story: In Iran, officials say the government will increase monthly cash subsidy payments disbursed to most Iranians. However, there is lingering ambiguity over when the plan will be implemented. In late December, President Ebrahim Raisi’s economic advisor, Mohsen Rezaee, had announced that the cash subsidy payments would be doubled amid a string of changes in the draft budget for the next Iranian year (beginning March 21, 2022).

The coverage: According to Rezaee, the cash subsidy will be “doubled.” This would mean a possible increase in monthly payments from 450,000 IRR (1.58 USD) per person to between 900,000 (3.13 USD) and 1,200,000 IRR (4.18 USD). The change comes as part of a plan to slash subsidies for more well-off Iranians while aiding low-income groups facing high inflation...