Iran exchange rates moved lower after the Central Bank of Iran published official prices on December 18. The update signaled a broad decline across most major and regional currencies The announcement came from the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran on Wednesday. The bank reported that 45 currencies lost value compared with December 17 levels.
Accordingly, the US dollar fell to 693,933 rials under the official rate. The dollar traded at 701,780 rials one day earlier. Similarly, the euro declined to 815,203 rials from 825,947 rials. These movements reflected ageneral strengthening of the rial in official listings. Moreover, other major currencies followed the same downward trend. The British pound dropped to 929,119 rials from 942,107 rials. The Swiss franc slid to 873,031 rials compared with 882,665 rials earlier. Regional currencies also weakened against the rial.
For instance, the UAE dirham declined to 188,954 rials. The Saudi riyal eased to 185,049 rials. Meanwhile, the Turkish lira slipped to 16,239 rials. Asian currencies showed similar movements. The Japanese yen fell to 446,011 rials per 100 units. The Chinese yuan decreased to 98,516 rials. The Indian rupee edged lower to 7,674 rials. In contrast, only a few currencies recorded marginal increases.
At the same time, the Central Bank continued operating multiple exchange systems. Officials maintained the SANA platform for licensed exchange offices. Under SANA, one euro cost 1,288,970 rials. The dollar traded at 1,097,222 rials within that framework. Additionally, the NIMA system remained central to export currency management. Authorities designed NIMA to channel export earnings into domestic trade. Within NIMA, the euro reached 880,904 rials. The dollar stood at 749,860 rials in that market.
Nevertheless, market participants focused closely on unofficial trading levels. The open market showed far higher prices for hard currencies. Traders quoted the dollar between 1.29 and 1.32 million rials. They priced the euro between 1.52 and 1.55 million rials. Economists linked these gaps to supply controls and demand pressures. They cited inflation expectations and sanctions as ongoing drivers. They also pointedtoregulatory efforts aimed at stabilizing expectations. Therefore, Iran exchange rates remain a critical policy signal for businesses.
Importers monitor official prices for planning costs and contracts. Exporters watch NIMA rates to assess revenue conversion. Households follow market rates to protect purchasing power. Consequently, currency policy influences trade, investment, and consumer confidence. Looking ahead, analysts expect continued volatility across parallel markets. They anticipate further adjustments if external pressures intensify. They also expect authorities to defend managed rates through policy tools. As a result, Iran exchange rates will shape economic decisions in coming weeks.