Hemmati: Over $7 to $10 Billion of Export Currency Has Gone to Imports

Central Bank of Iran Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in remarks published by Mehr News Agency, that part of the foreign currency earned from non-oil exports has still not returned to the economy, and that the central bank, working with the judiciary, is pursuing its return so it can help supply goods the country needs this year.

He said part of that currency has returned, and that "a significant figure, more than seven to 10 billion dollars" of it has been used for imports. Hemmati described this as part of the currency supplied for imports since the start of the Iranian year 1405 (March 2026), but gave no further detail on how much remains unrepatriated.

Repatriated export earnings are one of the main sources of supply in Iran's currency market, and their volume affects rates in both the negotiated (tavafoghi) and free markets.