Iran Moves to Shelter Millions as U.S. Sanctions Bite

Tehran promises handouts to insulate a restive population while prices climb and the economy sags

Aresu Eqbali in Tehran and

Asa Fitch in Dubai

Oct. 25, 2018 5:30 a.m. ET

As Iran braces for U.S. sanctions that target its financial lifeline—oil sales—it is resorting to a series of extraordinary steps to try to insulate the country’s increasingly restive working class from the likely economic fallout.

The Iranian government is moving ahead with plans to provide financial support to 20 million lower-income people, or about a quarter of the population, and extra relief to 11 million of the country’s poorest.

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