Iranians hoard currencies and physical assets as blockade cuts off alternatives to worthless rial

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President Donald Trump’s administration has shifted from military might to financial muscle as it transforms the conflict with Iran into an “economic war,” and the Iranian rial is among the country’s most vulnerable targets.

Even before the conflict, the volatile and devalued currency was among the biggest sources of unrest among Iranian citizens. Since a new round of sanctions has come through, the rial is beginning to look a lot like monopoly money on the international marketplace.

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