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The Iranian rial is the official currency of Iran, and it's often abbreviated as IRR. It's divided into 10,000 smaller units called dinars.
Iran has a mixed economy, with a significant portion of its GDP coming from the oil and gas industry. This has led to a high dependence on oil exports.
The country has a large and diverse economy, with major sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Iran is also a major player in the global energy market.
The Iranian government has implemented various economic reforms in recent years, including the creation of a free trade zone in the Persian Gulf port of Chabahar.
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What Is the Iranian Rial?
The Iranian Rial is the official currency of Iran, denoted by the symbol "﷼". It's subdivided into 100 dinars, although dinars are no longer in circulation.
The Rial has undergone several revaluations over the years, with the most recent one being in 2018, when the government removed four zeros from the currency to create the Iranian Rial (IRR) we know today.
The Rial is widely used in Iran, and it's also accepted as a form of payment in some neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
What Is the Iranian Currency?
The Iranian currency is the Iranian rial. It's often abbreviated as IRR.
The rial is divided into 10,000 subunits called dam. This is similar to how the US dollar is divided into 100 subunits called cents.
The Iranian rial is issued by the Central Bank of Iran, which is the country's central bank.
What Is the Rial?
The Iranian Rial is the official currency of Iran, used for everyday transactions and commerce. It's divided into 100 subunits called dinars.
You can exchange your money for Iranian Rials at airports, banks, or currency exchange offices in Iran.
The Rial is pegged to the US dollar, which means its value is linked to the value of the dollar.
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Key Facts and Takeaways
The Iranian rial, the official currency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has a fascinating history and unique characteristics. The rial is not officially pegged to another currency, but its exchange rate has stabilized at around 42,000 IRR per U.S. dollar since April 2018.
Iran's economy is heavily reliant on petroleum refining and exports, but economic sanctions have hindered its position in global finance and trade. This has led to the rial being considered a blocked or inconvertible currency in some cases.
The rial has been the national currency of Iran since 1932, and it's interesting to note that there have been discussions and legislation to replace it with the toman, although this has not happened as of 2023.
Here are some key facts about the Iranian rial:
The GDP of Iran is expected to grow to $386.22 billion in 2024, which is a significant milestone for the country's economy.
Understanding the Currency
The Iranian currency, the rial, is made up of 100 dinars, but dinars are essentially worthless, so you won't see them in use.
As of December 2023, one US dollar is worth roughly 42,023 IRR, which is a lot to keep track of.
Iran's central bank issues banknotes in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 rials, and coins circulate in denominations of 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rials.
To make things even more complicated, prices are often quoted in Tomans, which is equal to 10 rials, so be prepared for some mental math.
The rial is the official currency, but due to an informal convention, prices are often given in Tomans in everyday conversation, so you may hear shopkeepers quoting prices in Tomans instead of rials.
You can literally put your thumb on one zero of any bank note to see what the note is in Tomans, which is a helpful trick to keep in mind.
Iran's central bank implements currency controls to keep the exchange rate stable, which is crucial for preventing capital flight or investment capital from fleeing the country in search of more stable returns.
Iran is an influential member of OPEC, with a substantial percentage of the government's budget funded from the sale of oil, which is a significant factor in the country's economy.
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Currency Convertibility and Exchange
The Iranian Rial is not easily exchanged for US dollars due to frosty relations between the two nations. Economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by the US have made it difficult for the IRR to be freely traded on the global foreign exchange market.
The Iranian Rial is considered a non-convertible currency, which means it's not freely traded on the global foreign exchange market. This can make it challenging for offshore investors to engage in trade with Iran.
To get around the non-convertibility of the IRR, offshore investors use a financial instrument called a non-deliverable forward (NDF). An NDF has no physical exchange in the local currency, and the net of the cash flows is settled in a convertible currency, usually the US dollar.
The Iranian Rial exchange rate can fluctuate between 1,750 IRR to one US dollar and as high as 44,070 IRR to one US dollar. This fluctuation can be attributed to various economic, political, and market factors.
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If you're interested in finding the Iranian Rial exchange rate, you can use a currency converter like the one found on XE.com. This will give you the current exchange rate between the IRR and other currencies.
Here's a rough idea of the exchange rate between the IRR and other currencies:
Keep in mind that these exchange rates are subject to change and may not reflect the current market rate.
Iran's Economic Challenges
Iran's Economic Challenges are largely due to its authoritarian regime, which has led to economic sanctions that have decimated its economy. The country's heavy dependence on oil sales makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations.
Sanctions imposed on Iran have resulted in its difficulty selling oil globally, causing a significant economic hit. This has led to a weak economy.
Iran's economy is also heavily reliant on oil exports, making it susceptible to economic downturns when oil prices drop. The country's economy is severely impacted when oil prices fall.
Banking and Currency Systems
The Iranian Rial is the official currency of Iran, and it's divided into 100 dinars, although the dinar is no longer used in everyday transactions.
Iran has a dual currency system, with the rial being the official currency and the US dollar being widely accepted.
The Central Bank of Iran is responsible for managing the country's monetary policy and regulating the banking system.
Iran's banking system is primarily state-owned, with the majority of banks being controlled by the government.
Iran has a well-developed banking system, with over 30 banks operating in the country, including the Bank Melli Iran and the Bank Saderat Iran.
The Iranian government has implemented various measures to control inflation and stabilize the currency, including setting a fixed exchange rate between the rial and the US dollar.
Sending Money
Sending money to Iran can be a challenge due to high fees and exchange rates with international banks, which often constitute more than 10% of your transfer amount.
Fortunately, there are alternative providers that offer better exchange rates, far outdoing those you'll find at the bank.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is 1 dollar in Iran?
One US dollar is equivalent to 821,500 Iranian Rials. Get the latest exchange rates for more accurate conversions.
What is the new currency of Iran?
The new official currency of Iran is the toman, which is scheduled to replace the rial between 2020 and 2022. The toman is expected to become the country's standard currency in the near future.
Is 100 dollars a lot in Iran?
Yes, $100 is equivalent to 1 million rial in Iran, making it a significant amount of money in the local currency. This can lead to interesting experiences, such as being considered a millionaire, as described in the example of exchanging $100.
What is the Islamic currency of Iran?
The Islamic Republic of Iran's official currency is the rial, denoted by the exchange sign IRR. Introduced in 1798, the rial has a rich history dating back to the Spanish real.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/irr_currency.asp
- https://www.adventureiran.com/about-iran/general-fact-traveling-iran/iran-money-and-currency/
- https://www.monito.com/en/what-is-the-currency-in/iran
- https://www.bourseandbazaar.com/articles/2018/9/4/irans-currency-crisis-is-a-supply-side-story
- https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1002/What-s-causing-Iran-s-currency-to-collapse
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