Economics
Iran Blames Enemies for Currency Chaos as People Line Up for Dollars
- Rial slide has been a blow for already struggling businesses
- President Rouhani had stabilized currency in his fist term
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With a plane ticket booked, graphic designer Najmeh Mohammadi headed to the currency traders on Tehran’s Manouchehri Street at 6 a.m. on Tuesday for the dollars she needed for her overseas travel. By midday, she was still waiting -- and losing hope.
The 35-year-old was among those hoping to buy greenbacks at a new rate of 42,000 rials set hours earlier as authorities tried to stem a sharp decline in the local currency that’s roiling business and political circles. The immediate effect of the late-night announcement was confusion and a freezing up of trades as dealers awaited instructions from the central bank.