Iran's central bank governor dismisses claims of economic collapse amid US blockade

People gather at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, October 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab DUBAI, Oct 14 (Reuters) - US claims that Iran's economy is collapsing are an illusion, the governor of Iran's central bank said ​on Wednesday at an International Monetary Fund meeting in ‌Bangkok, as Tehran faces a US naval blockade aimed at driving its oil exports to zero and draining state coffers. Washington reinstated its blockade ​of Iranian ports in July and launched "Operation Economic ​Outcast" on August 24, a campaign aimed at severing ⁠Iran’s remaining financial and commercial links with the global economy. Sign up here. According ​to energy intelligence platform Vortexa, Iran’s seaborne crude exports fell to ​zero in the second week of September from a 14-day average of 230,000 barrels per day at the start of the month, and ​remained there as of October 5. In September, Washington expanded the ​campaign to target Iranian airlines, further isolating the country and making links ‌to ⁠the outside world more limited and costly. US pressure has coincided with a sharp fall in the Iranian rial. According to exchange-rate data from Iranian currency tracker Bonbast, the rial has ​lost nearly 35% ​of its ⁠value against the US dollar since July. Hemmati said the central bank was prioritising curbing inflation, ​stabilising inflation expectations, preserving financial stability and maintaining ​banking ⁠and payment services, while securing foreign currency for medicine and essential goods. Annual inflation reached 73.6% in September, according to the ⁠Statistical ​Centre of Iran. Iran’s central bank launched a ​programme in late September to sell up to $2 billion through state banks ​to support the rial. Reporting by Dubai Newsroom. Editing by Mark Potter Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: Middle East X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights