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Iran Orders Dialogue With Protesters as Rial Slide Triggers Central Bank Shake-Up

The directive follows merchant protests in Tehran over a plunging rial.

Overview

  • President Masud Pezeshkian instructed Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to meet representatives and hear lawful demands from demonstrators.
  • Central bank governor Mohammad Farzin resigned, and ex–economy and finance minister Abdolnaser Hemmati is set to take the post, according to a presidential aide.
  • Pezeshkian said fundamental banking and financial reforms are planned to protect purchasing power.
  • The dollar trades around 1.385–1.4 million rials on the free market after an 83.8% annual rise, while the central bank reports annual inflation at 38.9%.
  • Merchant rallies on December 29 concentrated on Islamic Republic Street in central Tehran, and a government spokesperson affirmed the public’s right to protest as state-linked reports noted little support for anti-government slogans.