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Continuing Controversies Surrounding the Central Bank's Currency Policy; 'Traveler Currency' Payments to be Halted by Raisi's Order

Feb 4, 2026 February 4, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The Iranian government is halting payments for traveler currency due to long queues and public criticism. This decision follows reports of currency abuse and significant price differences between traveler currency and the free market. Key figures involved include President Raisi and Ali Khazarian from the Parliament.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The halt of traveler currency payments underscores the Iranian government's challenges in addressing economic grievances and maintaining public order.

👥 Key Players

Ibrahim Raisi MENTIONED
President of Iran
"As the head of state, Raisi's decisions directly impact economic policy and public sentiment in Iran."
Ali Khazarian MENTIONED
Member of Parliament and spokesperson for the Article 90 Commission
"Khazarian's statements reflect parliamentary concerns about economic issues and accountability in currency management."
Central Bank of Iran MENTIONED
National bank responsible for monetary policy
"The Central Bank's policies influence currency value and economic stability in Iran."

📰 What Happened

The Iranian government has decided to halt payments for traveler currency due to public outcry over long queues at the airport and reports of currency abuse. This decision follows a significant price disparity between traveler currency and the free market rates.

  • Traveler currency payments were previously increased from $500 to $1,000.
  • The price difference between traveler currency and free market currency has led to public disorder at airports.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This decision highlights the government's struggle to manage currency policy amid economic turmoil and public dissatisfaction.
🌍 Regional: It may affect regional trade dynamics, especially with neighboring countries where currency transactions are involved.
🌐 International: International observers may view this as a sign of Iran's economic instability, impacting foreign investment and relations.

📚 Background

Iran's economy has been under strain due to sanctions, inflation, and currency devaluation, leading to public frustration over economic policies.

Iran's economic sanctions Currency devaluation in Iran
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
State media may present the government's perspective and downplay dissenting views, so critical analysis is necessary.

Following the controversies arising from long queues at Tehran's international airport for currency exchange and increasing criticism of the Central Bank's policy, a member of parliament has announced that payments for traveler currency will be halted by order of President Raisi. The state news agency 'IRNA' has also prepared a photo report to portray normal conditions at the airport, which critics claim were taken during times when outgoing flights were at a minimum. In this context, Ali Khazarian, spokesperson for the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, stated on his social media account that 'the next demand is certainly to hold accountable those who auction off currency resources in a time of economic warfare that has caused economic and social harm.' Khazarian emphasized that after following up on this issue, he learned that the payment of 'traveler currency' would be stopped by the order of Ibrahim Raisi. Just yesterday, on Sunday, March 20, media reports depicted the long lines for currency at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, showing crowding and disruption of public order at the airport. Meanwhile, the 'ILNA' news agency, affiliated with the government organization 'House of Workers' in Iran, reported an abuse of currency related to traveler currency payments, stating that some individuals, using a 'strange trick,' received traveler currency at preferential rates without traveling abroad and sold it in the free market. Recently, the Central Bank increased the traveler currency limit from $500 to $1,000. According to the Central Bank's resolution, this currency is paid at the airport's exit point before the flight to applicants. The price of this currency is around 40,000 tomans, which is 20,000 tomans less than the 60,000 tomans price in the free market. Based on these figures, the rent from traveler currency for each person is 20 million tomans. The queue for traveler currency at the airport is due to the price difference between traveler currency and the free market currency. The traveler dollar disrupted airport order; ILNA: currency abuse is occurring. The Secretary-General of the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber considered the 'removal of the dollar from transactions' as an 'opportunity.' The head of the Central Bank announced the removal of the dollar from 'tourism transactions' with regional countries.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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