Iran's free-market dollar nears 193,000 toman on Saturday, a fresh record high

Iran's free-market US dollar rose about 2.4 percent on Saturday, July 18, 2026, to the 193,000 to 194,000 toman range, its highest level on record. According to Sahmino data, the dollar traded at 193,200 toman by around 11 a.m. Saturday, about 4,600 toman higher than the previous day.

At the Iran Currency and Gold Exchange Center, the transfer (hawala) dollar sell rate rose to 150,237 toman on Saturday, crossing the 150,000 toman mark for the first time. The currency's jump comes as the military conflict between Iran and the United States continues and most vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains halted, lifting demand for safe-haven assets such as foreign currency and gold.