Sigma Live

Iran War 'Burns' Turkish Lira – Gold Sales Scenarios

Published March 26, 2026, 07:11
Iran War 'Burns' Turkish Lira – Gold Sales Scenarios

Turkey's Economic Coordination Council (EKK) met to take necessary measures to limit the impact of international uncertainties and geopolitical tensions on the economy, particularly due to the war in Iran, while continuing efforts to combat inflation. The rapid decline in Turkey's foreign exchange reserves following the start of the war has heightened concerns about the sustainability of the policy of supporting the lira, with economists not ruling out the possibility of gold sales by the Central Bank. Turkey has spent approximately $30 billion in recent weeks to curb the fall of the currency, as there has been a significant outflow of foreign capital. Net reserves have decreased significantly, although Turkey has over $100 billion in gold, some of which could be used through swaps to boost liquidity. Turkey, as a major energy importer, is directly affected by the surge in oil prices, which is transferred to inflation, widens the current account deficit, and intensifies pressures on the national currency. Estimates suggest that a scenario with oil at $100 could add 6-8 percentage points to inflation. The Turkish lira is hitting new historic lows, with the dollar exchange rate exceeding 44.30-44.35. Every $10 increase in oil prices is estimated to burden the current account deficit by $4.5 to $5.1 billion annually. This development poses a challenge to Turkey's economic stabilization plan.