Iranian economy

US Treasury Secretary Bessent says 'F*** the Iranian leaders,' confirms move to military base

"I'm not going to be cowered by the death threats they have made against me. The other Cabinet members won't be cowered either," he added.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference to outline further sanctions against Iran, at the Treasury Department in Washington, DC, US, August 24, 2026.
An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-Israeli mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, May 18, 2026.

Iran economy faces 25% deeper contraction amid soaring inflation, major employment crisis

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 31, 2026.

Iran's floating oil reserves, used for China sales, completely depleted, analysts say - report

An oil tanker docked at the Port of Fujairah, as the US-Israel conflict with Iran limits marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, May 6, 2026.

Iran manages to ship some gas, jet fuel despite US blockade, sanctions, data shows


Iran's central bank governor dismisses claims of economic collapse amid US blockade

Washington reinstated its blockade of Iranian ports in July and launched "Operation Economic Outcast" on August 24, a campaign aimed at severing Iran’s remaining links with the global economy.

The USS George Washington conducts a replenishment at sea, receiving food and supplies from another vessel in the Arabian Sea, September 14, 2026. The aircraft carrier, capable of carrying more than 5,000 personnel, is enforcing a US naval blockade against Iran.

Iran's stock market climbs despite US blockade, energy shortages, collapsing currency

The stock market rebound could mean two things: either investors believe Tehran and Washington will reach a peace deal soon, or they don’t have any other way to stop their savings from losing value.

Cut off from much of the international banking system, the Central Bank of Iran has increasingly turned to capital controls and foreign-currency restrictions to contain the economic fallout.

The financial siege: Iran's banks no longer serve citizens, they police them - analysis

Sanctions have isolated Iran’s banks, forcing its financial system into survival mode as citizens pay the price

Iran’s deepening financial isolation has left its central bank struggling to defend the rial and stem capital flight.
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Iranians stagger under soaring cost of living after seven months of war with the US

How far economic strain may push Iran towards diplomatic compromise is unclear, as it tightens its own stranglehold on Gulf energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil and gas prices.

An Iranian woman shops in a store in Tehran, Iran, April 28, 2026.

US official gives ultimatum to nations in Middle East: Stop trade with Iran, or US will cut ties

In total Burke, a top US Treasury Department official, visited over 50 countries across the Middle East and Europe, warning them to cease relationships with Iran.

US military officers salute the remains of US Army Maj. Bianca Wilkerson, who died in a non-combat related incident while deployed in Doha, Qatar in support of military operations connected to the US-Iran war, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, US, September 26.

Poverty, child labor, and child marriage partially behind Iran’s unfilled classrooms

Rezvan Hakimzadeh, deputy minister of primary education, confirmed that 140,562 students were identified as not attending school last year.

People walk past a banner with a picture of the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour, in Tehran Bazaar, Iran, April 21, 2026; Illustrative.

US prosecutors investigate Binance over alleged Iran sanctions violations, crypto laundering

The US government has imposed sanctions on firms and individuals it says are helping Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies in the Middle East, intensifying its campaign to isolate Iran economically.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, attends the Bitcoin Asia conference, in Hong Kong, China, August 27, 2026.

Afghans flee collapsing Iranian economy amid US conflict, returning to strict Taliban rule

Only 29% of Afghans who recently returned from Iran said they had any savings left after their average income fell by nearly one-third compared to pre-crisis levels.

Afghan nationals carrying their belongings walk after crossing the border from Iran at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, Afghanistan, September 3, 2026.

Small-scale protests break out in Iran over cost of living

Retired educators, telecommunications workers, and job seekers also reportedly demonstrated on Sunday in Tehran, Ahvaz, Shush, Kermanshah, Dezful, and Rasht.

Cars burn in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency's value, in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026.

Iran’s worsening economic crisis raises questions over Tehran’s willingness to compromise

As Iran’s economic strain deepens, an expert told the Post that the regime is not close to collapse despite rising inflation.

An Iranian woman shops in a local market in Tehran, Iran, April 28, 2026