Iran's rial hits new low after unrest sparked by economic crisis

DUBAI, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Iran's currency dropped to a record low of 1,500,000 rials to the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, according to Iranian currency tracking websites, weeks after protests sparked by the rial's dwindling value rocked the country.

The rial has lost about 5% of its value over the course of this month, according to data from the currency tracking website Bonbast.com.

Iran's newly appointed Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said on Tuesday that "the foreign exchange market is following its natural course."

What began as protests on December 28 over economic hardship in Tehran's Grand Bazaar quickly morphed into the worst legitimacy crisis for Iran's clerical establishment as it spread across the country with protesters demanding a political change.

Security forces crushed the unrest, which abated earlier this month, with the bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

SUBSIDY REFORM

Amid the protests, the government had introduced a subsidy reform, replacing preferential currency exchange rates for importers with direct transfers to Iranians to boost their purchasing power for essential goods.

Iran's First Vice-President Mohammadreza Aref defended the policy on Monday, saying corruption had made preferential rates ineffective in tackling inflation for basic goods, and that the new system aimed at stabilising the foreign exchange rate.

Monthly inflation for households has continued to rise, with year-on-year inflation reaching 60% for the period December 21 to January 19, according to figures released by the Statistical Centre of Iran on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Iran's online economy has been battered by an internet blackout imposed since January 8 and still largely in place.

A government spokesperson said on Tuesday that while the government prefers free internet access, security considerations required maintaining restrictions.

DEATH TOLL RISES

Iranian authorities blamed the recent unrest on "armed terrorists and rioters" linked to Tehran's foes, the United States and Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened Tehran with intervention, to which an Iranian official warned that any attack would be treated as an "all-out war."

According to figures released on Tuesday by U.S.-based rights group HRANA, the verified unrest-related death toll has reached 6,126, including 214 security personnel.

Official figures have put the death toll at 3,117. Reuters was unable to independently verify the numbers.