Wednesday , 28 জানুয়ারি, 2026 | 15 মাঘ, 1432 Bangabdo

Published: 11:27 4 January 2026
Iran's economy is in a deep crisis. The value of the country's national currency, the rial, has fallen to an unprecedented low against the US dollar, practically hitting the bottom. Currently, one US dollar costs about 1.4 million rials to buy in the open market. This has had a direct impact on the prices of daily necessities.
Locals complain that due to the terrible devaluation of the currency, the price of one kilogram of meat has now reached about 10 million rials, which is completely beyond the purchasing power of the common people. The unbridled prices of daily necessities have brought extreme suffering to public life.
In protest of this situation, traders are closing shops in the country's main commercial centers, including the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, and going on strike. In addition to Tehran, protests have also been reported in the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah.
According to economists, the inflation rate in Iran has currently exceeded 40 percent. They have warned that the value of the rial could fall further if urgent action is not taken.
Middle East Eye, citing local traders, said that the volatility of the rial has made it almost impossible to buy and sell goods. A trader in a carpet market in Tehran said, “The value of the currency is changing every moment. As a result, the price of goods cannot be determined. We are forced to close our shops.”
According to experts, the main reason for the crisis is the sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations over Iran’s nuclear program. However, the greatest pressure is on ordinary people. The prices of daily necessities have increased so much that it has become difficult for low- and middle-income people to survive.
Amid the economic crisis, reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian is under pressure within his own government. He has been accused of being unable to make effective decisions due to political disputes and internal tensions. On the other hand, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of a strict crackdown, describing the ongoing protests as incitement by the enemy.
Amid the crisis, Iran has announced plans to launch 30 satellites over the next two years. Hassan Salarieh, head of Iran's space agency, said the program was designed to monitor weather and natural disasters.
Meanwhile, political and economic instability have compounded the situation with natural disasters. Flash floods in the southwest and heavy snowfall in mountainous areas have so far killed four people and left nine missing. The Red Crescent Society is continuing rescue operations.
Source: Reuters
