Food Coupon Increase Is Decided but Timing Is Left to Agencies; Refinery Feedstock Discount Awaits Notification

Morteza Zamanian, deputy minister of economic policy at Iran's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, said on Friday, October 9, 2026 (17 Mehr 1405) that the principle of raising the food coupon amount and the target groups have been decided, and the process has been settled too. According to him, the regulation that was drafted leaves identification, funding and timing to the relevant agencies, and the rollout will be notified and applied at their discretion, depending on when funding and data are determined. The remarks follow yesterday's report that the increase was not yet in effect.

On the refinery feedstock discount, Zamanian said that the Economy Ministry's opposition to the discount in principle was a "false claim" raised in some media. He said the discount itself is certain and the debate is over its size and how it applies to different refineries; several scenarios have been put to the government and a decision has been taken, but it is awaiting notification. He also said the timing of reopening the halted symbols depends on the Securities and Exchange Organization. The report comes from EcoIran, citing IRNA.