The Chief of Staff of the Presidential office, has emphasized that the government subsidy which was given for many years as "cheap petrol" is now being redistributed among 60 million people, even those who normally don't use any petrol at all, or little petrol.

Iran Press/Iran news: Speaking to journalists and reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Mahmoud Vaezi said 18 million families will be supported by government subsidies and handouts.

Vaezi said anyone who thinks they are entitled to these payments, but they are not receiving it, should contact the "welfare and social security ministry" or other relevant organizations, and they will receive due payments after their entitlement has been established, Iran Press reported.

Commenting on US and Zionist support for rioters in Iran, Mahmoud Vaezi said: "The Americans, Zionists, Donald Trump, Mike Pompeo, and many others were overjoyed and elated when a few rioters and thugs decided to attack public and private property on the streets of Iran."

"If our enemies try to fuel unrest and instigate riots and turmoil in Iran, then you will see what you saw yesterday (Tuesday) in Tabriz. The people of Tabriz came out in huge numbers, a spontaneous protest condemning foreign interference in Iran's internal affairs," he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the chief of presidential staff defended the fact that the government did not give prior notice of an increase in petrol price, arguing it was for security reasons and adding: "We did not want to give advance warning to fuel smugglers. One of the main benefits of an increase in petrol price is that it makes it less profitable for fuel smugglers who want to steal our petrol and sell it in neighbouring countries."

Commenting further on the extra revenues generated by an increase in petrol price, Vaezi said: "60 million people will benefit from government handouts. The money earned from an increase in the gasoline price will be distributed among 60 million people." 101/211

 

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