--- title: "Iran's rial drops below 2 million to dollar amid new US sanctions" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions" category: "Business & Economy" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-08-24T20:45:57.295Z" source_reported: "2026-08-24T16:59:15.000Z" updated: "2026-08-24T20:45:57.295Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 40 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-24T21:45:36.987290+00:00" --- # Iran's rial drops below 2 million to dollar amid new US sanctions *The currency's value plummets as Washington prepares to announce further economic pressure on Tehran.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body (AP) and corroborated by multiple independent outlets. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes specific figures, dates, and places, and separates fact from comment. - Hype 40 of 100, lower is better. The language is mostly measured, with some emphasis on the economic pressure. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Iran's currency, the rial, has fallen to a record low, trading at more than 2 million to the U.S. dollar on the open market. - The U.S. is preparing to announce new sanctions against Iran, which it says will increase pressure on the country's economy. - Iran's economy has been significantly impacted by existing sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade, leading to sharp price increases for daily goods. - The International Monetary Fund projects Iran's GDP will shrink by over 5%. Iran's currency, the rial, reached a record low on Monday, trading at over 2 million to the U.S. dollar on the open market. The official Central Bank rate was around 1.5 million rial to the dollar, but the market rate is what most Iranians use. The U.S. is preparing to announce new sanctions, stating they will add further pressure on an economy already weakened by previous sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade. The war has taken a significant toll on Iran's economy, with prices for daily staples increasing sharply. Since the conflict began, rice prices have risen by approximately 60%, and beef prices are more than 150% higher. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Iran's GDP will contract by more than 5%. ## Divergent accounts of Iran's strategic position Military.com, citing an Associated Press report, stated that Iran retains a key strategic advantage through its attacks and threats on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly disrupted global trade and damaged the world economy. This has led to a fight over control of the strait, with Iran demanding payment to fully reopen it. Military.com also reported that Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement for joint management of the waterway, with Oman's foreign minister scheduled to visit Iran. The Epoch Times digest mentioned that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to hold a press conference, and also included information about a proposed U.S. regulation for H-1B visa fees, a detail not present in other reports. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the specific price increases for rice and beef, nor the IMF's forecast for GDP contraction. The left-rated side did not run this story at all. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 33% (2) - Right: 67% (4) 2 of 8 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-24T21:45:36.987290+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-24T22:45:29.354Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on the record low of Iran's rial against the U.S. dollar and the impending U.S. sanctions. Military.com, in its full report, detailed the economic impact on daily staples like rice and beef, citing figures of 60% and over 150% increases respectively. It also included the IMF's forecast of over 5% GDP contraction. This report also highlighted Iran's strategic leverage concerning the Strait of Hormuz and reported on diplomatic efforts with Oman. bne IntelliNews's digest noted the rial's slide past 2 million to the dollar on the open market, attributing it to war, sanctions, and a naval blockade draining hard currency. ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted the record low of Iran's rial and the imminent U.S. sanctions. The Epoch Times digest mentioned the rial hitting a record low on August 24, with Washington preparing to announce new sanctions that would increase pressure on an economy already battered by previous sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade. It also noted that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was due to hold a press conference and included a separate item about a proposed U.S. regulation for H-1B visa fees. Morocco World News and Al Bawaba digests also noted the rial's record low ahead of new U.S. sanctions, with Al Bawaba adding that this prompted the activation of a state of emergency. The Elkhart Truth digest similarly reported the rial's record low and the U.S. preparation for new sanctions. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 3 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [IBTimes Australia](https://ibtimes.com.au/irans-rial-record-low-us-sanctions-1874507) — Iran Currency Hits Record Low of Over 2 Million to Dollar as US Plans Economic D-Day Offensive - [Morocco World News](https://moroccoworldnews.com/2026/08/335889/irans-currency-hits-record-low-ahead-of-new-us-sanctions) — Iran’s Currency Hits Record Low Ahead of New US Sanctions - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/epochtv/iran-rial-hits-record-low-ahead-of-u-s-sanctions-trump-administration-eyes-100k-h-1b-visa-fee-6078844) — Iran Rial Hits Record Low Ahead of U.S. Sanctions; Trump Administration Eyes $100K+ H-1B Visa Fee - [Al Bawaba](https://albawaba.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A3%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%89-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%84-1635678) — The Iranian Rial Hits a Record Low, Prompting the Activation of a State of Emergency. - [Military.com](https://military.com/irans-rial-currency-hits-new-record-low-as-us-prepares-to-announce-more-sanctions) — Iran’s Rial Currency Hits New Record Low as US Prepares to Announce More Sanctions - [The Elkhart Truth](https://elkharttruth.com/irans-rial-currency-hits-new-record-low-as-u-s-prepares-to-announce-more-sanctions/article_fa08dedf-6c68-5de4-82c5-e4868dca31ee.html) — Iran's rial currency hits new record low as U.S. prepares to announce more sanctions - [bne IntelliNews](https://intellinews.com/iran-s-rial-slides-past-2mn-per-dollar-on-open-market-463093) — Iran's rial slides past 2mn per dollar on open market - [ceskenoviny.cz](https://ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2865293) — Iranian Rial Falls to Record Low, United States Steps up Economic Pressure | ČeskéNoviny.cz ## Questions **What is the current value of Iran's rial against the U.S. dollar?** Iran's currency, the rial, has hit a record low, trading at over 2 million to the U.S. dollar on the open market. This significant devaluation reflects the ongoing economic pressures facing the country. **Why is Iran's currency falling?** The rial's value has been impacted by existing U.S. sanctions, a U.S. naval blockade, and the ongoing conflict. These factors have battered Iran's economy and led to sharp increases in the prices of daily goods. **What is the U.S. planning to do next?** The United States is preparing to announce new sanctions against Iran. These measures are intended to increase economic pressure on the country, which is already facing significant financial challenges. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Iran's rial drops below 2 million to dollar amid new US sanctions", https://mediabias.news/business/irans-rial-drops-below-2-million-to-dollar-amid-new-us-sanctions