Iran Faces Economic Collapse: Rial Plummets, Half of Population in Poverty
January 12, 2026
Iran’s economy is collapsing as the rial undergoes a historic devaluation, slipping to about 1.47 million per dollar and pushing roughly half of the population into poverty.
Former U.S. president Trump has suggested Tehran could be edging toward compromise under escalating pressure, framing the regime’s strategic calculus amid the crisis.
With oil roughly at $60 a barrel, revenues are no longer sufficient to cover the state budget, constraining fiscal options for the regime.
Iran’s growing diplomatic isolation is constraining access to international support and hindering economic recovery efforts.
Food inflation has surged to about 75%, exacerbating hardship for ordinary Iranians and underscoring the severity of the crisis.
Summary based on 1 source