Reports: Government Institutions in Iran Have Halted Currency Transactions

Reports received by Voice of America indicate that the security institutions of the Islamic Republic have halted currency transactions in the market through various measures to prevent a sharp increase in currency prices in Iran. According to these reports, government institutions summoned and threatened the owners of major exchange offices following Israel's attack on the positions of the Islamic Republic. These reports show that in another action, the activities of all currency price information websites have also been halted, and security institutions have created a news flow in government media regarding a decreasing trend in currency rates. An exchange dealer in Tehran told Voice of America that despite being present at work, they have been banned from any activities and transactions. According to this dealer, many of his colleagues have been threatened with arrest and license revocation by security institutions over the phone, and as a result, currency transactions in the market have completely stopped. Reports indicate that the price of the US dollar had recently crossed 69,000 tomans due to concerns over an Israeli attack, but after the attacks, security institutions took action to control the market by halting transactions. The Israeli army announced on Saturday morning, November 5, coinciding with sunrise in Iran, that precise and targeted attacks on military targets of the Islamic Republic in various regions of Iran had ended, and Israeli aircraft successfully returned to their bases. The Israeli army considered these attacks a response to a recent attack by the Iranian regime on Israel and stated, 'The mission was successfully completed.' Israel explained the attacks on November 5, stating, 'Based on available information, Israeli Air Force fighters attacked missile production facilities in Iran. These facilities were used to manufacture missiles that had been fired at Israel over the past year and posed a direct threat to Israeli citizens. Additionally, ground-to-air missile systems and other air capabilities of the Iranian government designed to limit Israeli air freedom were targeted.' The Israeli army added, 'At this stage, we attacked strategic targets deep within Iranian territory using our offensive operational capabilities, but if the Iranian regime continues its attacks, we reserve the right to defend our citizens and are still assessing the situation and preparing for further defensive and offensive actions.' Israeli defense forces launched extensive attacks against military targets of the Islamic Republic in Iran on the morning of Saturday, November 5. These attacks, which the Israeli army stated were in response to Iranian missile attacks on Israel on October 1, were carried out in several waves with the participation of over 100 fighter jets. According to the Jerusalem Post, this operation focused on key military infrastructure of the Islamic Republic, including missile and drone production facilities, ballistic missile launchers, and air defense systems. Israeli sources stated that these attacks were aimed at weakening the military capabilities of the Iranian government and preventing future attacks from them. These attacks coincided with reports of massive explosions in Tehran and several other cities. Some news sources also reported the activation of the Iranian air defense and scattered clashes. Meanwhile, government media of the Islamic Republic attempted to downplay the significance of these attacks, emphasizing that oil and petrochemical facilities were not targeted. While government media tried to downplay the significance of the Israeli attacks on Saturday morning, some domestic news sources confirmed that several military bases in Tehran and the western part of the country had been targeted. Additionally, Iran's air defense was activated in some areas, and reports of explosions in Parchin and Kermanshah were published. However, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization closed the country's airspace two hours after the start of the Israeli attacks and suspended domestic and international flight activities. Iraq also halted all flights due to regional tensions. While government media attempted to show normal activity at Mehrabad and Khomeini airports, field reports indicated flight diversions and disruptions in passenger movements. The Islamic Republic's air defense headquarters announced regarding the Israeli attack on military positions of the Islamic Republic on Saturday morning: 'Despite repeated warnings from Islamic Republic officials to Israel to avoid provocative actions, this country continued to escalate tensions by attacking several military centers in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces.' The statement further claimed that 'the integrated air defense system of the country countered these attacks and successfully intercepted them. However, limited damage was inflicted on some areas, and the extent of this incident is under investigation.' A spokesperson for the US National Security Council reacted to these attacks, confirming that the United States was aware of Israel's plans before the attack but did not participate in the operation. Kamala Harris, the US Vice President, also stated that she is closely monitoring the developments. Meanwhile, Republican senators in the US supported the Israeli attacks and urged the Biden administration to stand by Israel. Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, also spoke with Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, on Friday and received the latest information about the Israeli army's attacks on military targets in Iran. Austin reiterated the United States' enduring commitment to Israel's security and the right to self-defense. He also emphasized increasing the presence of American forces to defend US personnel, Israel, and other regional partners against threats from Iran and its supported terrorist groups. After announcing the end of its military operations in Iran, Israel emphasized that it would continue retaliatory attacks and self-defense if the Iranian regime's attacks persist. Israeli sources confirmed that the Israeli security cabinet unanimously approved these attacks and issued the order for their execution. The severe depreciation of the 'rial' against the Afghan currency casts a shadow of war and recession over Iran's economy; gold and currency prices have reached record highs. The price of coins has surpassed 55 million tomans, and the dollar has exceeded 64 thousand tomans; the shadow of war looms over the economy.