Relatives mourning loved ones killed during protests in Iran receive compensation in the form of £28 gift cards. Officials from the Revolutionary Guards and provincial authorities visit homes in the northern Golestan province, arriving in groups of six to 10 people.
Official Visits and Warnings
These groups warn families against sharing their stories publicly and present the government’s version of protest events. Before departing, they provide a folder with a certificate of appreciation and one or two gift cards valued at 50 million rials, equivalent to £28, according to witnesses.
Families describe the offers as a humiliating effort to silence them and deter legal challenges over the deaths.
Broader Economic Measures
In January, authorities introduced monthly vouchers worth £5 to citizens amid widespread demonstrations against clerical rule and economic decline. This “economic relief” plan equals the average daily wage for Iranian workers.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated: “Any problems or shortcomings in society stem directly from actions—therefore, stakeholders and implementers must participate in all decision-making aspects.”
He added: “Direct interaction with people—listening to concerns, demands, and criticisms while persuading public opinion—plays a key role in easing psychological and social pressures. Society cannot be calmed through coercion or improper methods.”
Confirmed Casualties
The verified death toll from the protest crackdown exceeds 7,000, with additional fatalities feared. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports 7,005 deaths, including 214 government forces.
