Free-market dollar tops 187,000 tomans at Wednesday's close; gold and coin also set fresh highs

Iran's domestic currency and gold markets extended their climb through Wednesday's close on 15 July 2026 (24 Tir 1405). The free-market dollar, quoted near 186,700 tomans that morning, pushed past 187,000 tomans by the afternoon, reaching 187,495 tomans according to Etemad Online; Sahmino's own price board showed an intraday rate near 188,200 tomans, up about 2.2 percent on the day and the highest level in a month.

In the gold market, each gram of 18-karat gold rose about 2.8 percent to enter the 18-million-toman range at roughly 18.4 million tomans, while the Emami coin gained a similar amount to near 186 million tomans.

The surge stems mainly from the weakening rial amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the continuing US and Iran military confrontation. On the same day, the Tehran Stock Exchange's main index bucked the parallel markets, falling about 0.6 percent to stay below 4.9 million points.