Iran’s Rial Hits Record Low as Trump Threatens Strike and U.S. Carrier Group Nears
Iran’s rial plunged to a record low of about 1.6 million to $1 on local markets amid panic over possible U.S. strikes after President Trump threatened action and a U.S. carrier group drew near the region. Regional diplomacy intensified — Egypt and Turkey spoke with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to seek calm, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Saudi Arabia and the UAE would not allow their airspace to be used for any attack, and Iran said it was open to dialogue but would “defend itself” if attacked even as state media branded protesters “terrorists” and activists, amid a three‑week internet blackout, estimate more than 6,000 killed in the crackdown.
📌 Key Facts
- Iran’s currency, the rial, fell to a record low of about 1.6 million to $1 on local markets, down from 1.5 million the day before, reflecting panic over possible U.S. strikes and the protest crackdown.
- Iranian state media have rebranded protesters as 'terrorists'; amid a three‑week internet blackout, activists estimate at least 6,221 people have been killed in the crackdown (reports cite more than 6,000 fatalities).
- Iran’s mission to the United Nations posted on X that Iran is ready for dialogue but 'will defend itself and respond like never before' if attacked.
- Egypt’s foreign minister held separate calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to 'work toward achieving calm' and avoid wider regional instability; Turkey’s foreign minister also called Araghchi with similar concerns.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and publicly signaled that Saudi Arabia and the UAE would not allow their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran.
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- Iran’s currency, the rial, has fallen to a record low of about 1.6 million to $1 on local markets, down from 1.5 million the day before, reflecting panic over possible U.S. strikes and the protest crackdown.
- Egypt’s foreign minister held separate calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to 'work toward achieving calm' and avoid wider regional instability; Turkey’s foreign minister also called Araghchi with similar concerns.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and publicly signaled that Saudi Arabia and the UAE would not allow their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran.
- Iran’s mission to the United Nations publicly responded on X that Iran is ready for dialogue but 'will defend itself and respond like never before' if attacked.
- Iranian state media have rebranded protesters as 'terrorists' and, amid a three‑week internet blackout, activists estimate at least 6,221 people have been killed in the crackdown, more than 6,000 by some counts.