Free-market dollar hovers near 188,000 tomans Thursday as market watches Doha talks

The free-market US dollar traded near 188,000 tomans on Thursday, 16 July 2026 (25 Tir 1405), holding around its highest level in a month. Some Iranian business outlets quoted the open-market rate as high as 188,600 tomans, while the UAE dirham rose about 30 tomans to roughly 51,100 tomans. Sahmino's own latest data likewise showed the dollar near 188,000 tomans on Thursday afternoon, little changed on the day.

Traders say political and security headlines are the dominant driver of the rate for now, with the Iran US conflict and continued strikes keeping safe-haven demand elevated. The market is also watching mediation talks in Doha, whose outcome could shape the currency's near-term path. The Tehran Stock Exchange was closed for the Thursday weekend.