Iranian Rial Falls to an All-Time Low Under Sanctions Pressure

The Iranian rial has plunged to a new historic low in the open market, nearing 1.25 million rials per US dollar, underscoring mounting economic and monetary pressures.

The slide highlights how the Iranian rial continues to weaken at an accelerating pace.

The decline contrasts sharply with levels seen in 2018, when the Iranian rial traded around 55,000 per dollar, before US sanctions were reimposed, curbing oil exports and foreign-currency inflows.

Domestic Policies and External Pressures

Iranian media have pointed to recent economic liberalization measures as a key factor intensifying stress on the open currency market, particularly after decisions allowing importers to use the free market for essential goods.

Free Exchange Market

Individuals rely on the open market to obtain foreign currencies, while companies typically access state-set rates, creating price gaps that fuel volatility and inflationary pressures.