Dollar Hits 85,000 Tomans; Users: Trump's Maximum Pressure This Time is Different

Following Donald Trump's order to resume maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic and reinstate sanctions, the value of the Iranian rial has fallen again, with the price of one US dollar in the free market of Iran surpassing a historic record of 85,000 tomans. Iranian users on social media have stated that Trump has become more pragmatic and that the maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic is different from his previous presidency, predicting that before the arrival of Nowruz, the price of one US dollar in the free market of Iran will exceed 100,000 tomans. Reports on Wednesday, February 6, indicate that the price of one US dollar in the free market of Iran fluctuates between 85,300 tomans and 85,600 tomans. Reports about the rising fluctuations in the dollar price in Iran show that the price of one US dollar in the free market has increased by about 2,000 tomans in the past 24 hours. The renewed surge in the dollar price and its record of over 85,000 tomans comes at a time when some exchange offices had promised a price of 74,000 tomans for the dollar this week. The renewed fall in the value of Iran's national currency against the US dollar, which has intensified following Trump's executive order for maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic, is seen by some observers as related to Washington's new policies towards Tehran. An Iranian user on the social media platform X noted that 'Trump signed the maximum pressure' and that the 'crisis of decision-making and accountability' among Islamic Republic officials has 'reached its peak,' predicting that 'the dollar rate will soon reach 100,000 tomans.' Economist Siamak Ghasemi stated that Trump in 2025 is 'clearly different' from 2017 and is 'much smarter and more pragmatic,' adding that 'even his maximum pressure is distinctly different from the last round. He initiated it in such a way that he completely threw the ball into the [Islamic Republic's] court and placed the costs on the Iranian government.' Following the announcement of the executive order for 'maximum pressure' on the Iranian government, Islamic Republic officials have reacted differently. Mohammad Reza Aref, the first deputy of the medical community, responded to Trump's executive order for maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic by reminding that 'we have a fatwa regarding nuclear weapons that prohibits non-peaceful nuclear activity, so he can rest assured'; however, he stated that 'we are seeking self-sufficiency in defense' and said that 'negotiation and a meeting between Trump and the medical community is not on the system's agenda.' On the other hand, Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, claimed that 'Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons is achievable,' asserting that 'maximum pressure is a failed experience and trying it again will lead to another failure.' Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, also claimed that the Islamic Republic 'has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, does not have it, and will not have it,' and its nuclear activities are 'within the framework of safeguards and the NPT.' Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, on Tuesday regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), stated: 'We must prove that we do not engage in money laundering and do not have organized cooperation with terrorism.' Mohajerani also announced that 'Palermo and CFT will help our banks get out of sanctions.' The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an international intergovernmental organization established by the Group of Seven industrialized nations in Paris to focus on development policies to combat money laundering. This organization joined the fight against terrorist financing in 2001. Then, in 2012, combating the financing of proliferation activities was added to the mission of this organization. The Islamic Republic is on the blacklist of this organization due to its opaque structures and controversial international activities, including support for groups recognized as terrorist organizations by many countries, and financial transactions with Iran are considered 'high-risk.' Palermo, whose full title is 'Convention against Transnational Organized Crime,' is also referred to as the 'Palermo Convention,' and the 'Convention on the Financing of Terrorism,' commonly known by its acronym 'CFT,' are two international treaties related to combating organized crime and terrorist financing and are part of the actions of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and there have been many discussions in recent years about Iran's accession to them. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on Tuesday after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a joint press conference with him that he does not want the situation with Iran to end in a disaster.