Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Iranian Rial Hits Record Low as US Prepares New Sanctions
Iran’s money became worth less compared with the US dollar.
One dollar cost about 2.02 million Iranian rials in informal markets.
The official exchange rate was lower, but most Iranians use the market rate.
The drop happened as the United States prepared new sanctions against Iran.
Iran already had high inflation and weak economic growth before the war began.
Food has become much more expensive, including rice and beef.
Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted shipping and oil transport.
Oman and Pakistan are trying to help discuss the conflict.
Iran says it can resist more pressure, while the United States says sanctions are meant to weaken the Iranian government.
The rial fell to about 2.02 million per US dollar in informal trading on Monday, August 24.
Iran’s official central-bank rate was around 1.5 million rial per dollar, but most people use the informal market rate.
The United States prepared tougher sanctions, including possible penalties on countries continuing to do business with Iran.
Iran’s economy faces double-digit inflation, negative growth, reduced exports and rising food prices after nearly six months of war.
Iran’s control of Strait of Hormuz shipping remains a major standoff, while Oman and Pakistan pursue diplomatic efforts.
- Who
- Iran and the United States are the main parties discussed; Oman, Pakistan, China and officials including Donald Trump, Scott Bessent, Esmail Baghaei and Abbas Araghchi are also mentioned.
- What
- Iran’s rial reached a reported record low against the US dollar as the United States prepared additional sanctions.
- When
- The fall was reported on Monday, August 24, after nearly six months of war that began on February 28.
- Where
- The currency decline occurred in Iran’s informal currency markets; the wider dispute involves the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
- Why
- The articles link the decline to threatened US sanctions, earlier economic measures, disrupted foreign-exchange transfers, falling exports, inflation, rising import demand and the effects of war.
US Pressure Strategy
Iranian and Chinese Response
Purpose of sanctions
US Pressure Strategy
The United States says tougher sanctions will sever economic lifelines supporting Iran’s government and increase pressure on Tehran.
Iranian and Chinese Response
Iran says it can resist further pressure, while China says economic pressure will not resolve the conflict and calls for diplomacy.
Effect of economic pressure
US Pressure Strategy
Scott Bessent presented the rial’s weakness and high inflation as evidence that US pressure has severely damaged Iran’s economy.
Iranian and Chinese Response
The articles report that economic pressure has not forced Iran to make concessions; Iran continues to use its position around the Strait of Hormuz.
Managing the Strait of Hormuz
US Pressure Strategy
The United States is seeking to break the impasse as Iranian attacks and threats have severely disrupted shipping through the waterway.
Iranian and Chinese Response
Iran has not agreed to fully reopen the strait unless it can charge ships; Iran and Oman are reportedly nearing a joint-management arrangement.
- Informal exchange rate
- About 2.02 million Iranian rials per US dollar.
- Official exchange rate
- Around 1.5 million rials per US dollar, according to the Central Bank rate.
- Reported daily decline
- Bonbast data cited by Bloomberg showed the rial down 4.5% on Monday.
- Economic outlook
- The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Iran’s GDP will contract by more than 5%; the articles also report double-digit inflation and negative growth.
- Food prices
- Since the war began, rice prices reportedly rose about 60% and beef prices more than 150%.
- Planned sanctions
- The United States said it would announce stronger measures, including secondary sanctions on countries continuing to do business with Iran.
- Strait of Hormuz
- About one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passed through the waterway before the war, according to the articles.
- Diplomatic activity
- Oman’s foreign minister was due to visit Iran, while Pakistan sent a delegation to discuss ending the war.
Sources
Iran's rial plunges to record low as US prepares new sanctions on battered economy - Telegraph India
Iran’s rial hits new record low as US prepares to announce more sanctions
2 million rial for $1: Iran's currency hits historic low amid fresh US sanctions
Iranian rial hits record low of 2.02 million against US dollar amid threat of new Trump sanctions — Here's what we know
