Bank Liquidity Squeeze Deepens as Interbank Rate Hits 24 Percent Ceiling at End of Mordad

According to Boursenews, the latest money market data show Iran's interbank lending rate rose to exactly 24.00 percent in the week ending 4 Shahrivar 1405 (August 26, 2026), matching the ceiling of the central bank's interest rate corridor, the standing lending facility rate. The rise followed several weeks of tight fluctuation in the 23.90 percent range.

The interbank rate returning to the top of its corridor is a clear sign of intensifying liquidity pressure across Iran's banking network, typically reflecting stronger demand from banks to borrow short term from one another to cover statutory reserve shortfalls. The interbank rate is one of the central bank's key monetary policy gauges, and its trajectory can affect inflation, bond yields and capital market direction in the months ahead.