CBI’s Currency Exchange Centre (ICE) said on Saturday that investors had purchased a standard gold bar of around 1.257 metric tons (MT) during the 97th Gold Auction held earlier in the day at the Centre.
The figure exceeded the previous double record of 567 kilograms, adding that sales generated around 110 trillion rials ($120 million).
The centre said that during auctions held since mid-January, the gold total value of 17.845 mt sold over 1,000 trillion rial.
The CBI has imported record amounts of gold over the past two years amidst US sanctions that have hindered access to dollar-based banking services around the world.
Figures from Iran’s customs office show that gold imports into the country reached nearly $7 billion this year. Officials at the country’s largest airport also show that gold imports processed at airports have reached around 1 MT per day in recent weeks.
The CBI says gold auctions use gold auctions to buy foreign currency to fund the country’s imports and other needs.
Ice also said on Saturday it sold 12,449 bullion gold coins at the auction last round of the calendar year, generating more than 7280 billion rials.
It said nearly a million gold coins known as Bahar Azadi were sold at an 82-round auction held at the centre since early March.
MP/PressTV