Deputy Foreign Exchange Officer of Iran's Central Bank "Arrested"

On Sunday, August 5, the spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary announced the arrest of Ahmad Araghchi, Deputy Foreign Exchange Manager of the Central Bank of Iran.

According to a report published by the judiciary news agency, Mizan, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said that "in the continuation of the investigation into the cases of those who disrupted the country's monetary and banking system, the cases of three of those who had been completed were sent to court with a request for punishment, and their trial will begin soon."

He continued: "Also, several other people were pursued and arrested today. One of them is the deputy foreign exchange director of the Central Bank, who I heard was recently dismissed."

Ahmad Araqchi is the nephew of Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, and has been the target of much criticism in recent months due to his performance at the Central Bank and the collapse of the Iranian national currency.

The spokesman for the Iranian judiciary also announced the arrest of "an employee of one of the vice presidents and four currency speculators who were engaged in unauthorized activities in this regard."

He added: "An unauthorized money changer was also summoned and, after investigation and explanation of the charges, was sent to prison with a temporary detention order."

In an interview with a person it identified as an "informed source," IRNA denied the news of the arrest of a presidential staff member, saying that "the person in question was previously a contractual employee of the presidential staff and has settled his account."

He added: "This person did not have any responsibility in any of the vice-chairmen or sub-departments of the presidential office or institution in the 12th government."

Mr. Ejei had also announced on August 27 that 29 people, who he said were "disruptors of the country's economic system," had been arrested so far, and that "many of them are charged with corruption on earth."

The charge of "corruption on earth" may in some cases lead to the death penalty.

Iran's currency and gold markets have been extremely volatile in recent months, with the price of one US dollar even exceeding 12,000 tomans. However, ahead of the announcement of new currency policies that are set to be announced tonight, the dollar price has fallen below 10,000 tomans.

The developments in Iran's markets have coincided with the reinstatement of US sanctions against Iran after withdrawing from the JCPOA, which will resume on Monday, August 6.

Sanctions on the exchange and purchase and sale of the rial, as well as purchases or facilities related to government borrowing, will be implemented starting tomorrow. Another sanction that the Iranian market will witness is a ban on the automotive sector.

Some of the licenses issued by the US government after the JCPOA will also become ineffective as of August 5, including the license to import Iranian goods such as carpets and food into the US, as well as the purchase of passenger aircraft and spare parts. The second license was considered one of the important achievements of the JCPOA for Tehran.

The United States withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8 of this year and announced that it would impose severe sanctions against Iran.

However, last week he explicitly announced his readiness to meet with Iranian officials and negotiate a new agreement with Tehran, but Islamic Republic officials reacted negatively.

Source: Radio Farda