Urgent: Major Leak Reveals Iran's Central Bank Prepares for Imminent Crisis

Is Iran's Islamic regime collapsing?

By Andrea McGurran

January 2, 2026

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A recent leak from Iran’s Central Bank has sent shockwaves through the international community and raised urgent questions about the stability of the Iranian government. The confidential document, classified as highly sensitive, reveals that the regime is actively preparing for a severe crisis that could unfold nationwide. This preparation signals a significant shift in the government’s outlook, moving from contingency planning to expecting a collapse scenario.

Leaked bank documents provided by Niyak Ghorbani (Iranian Central Bank)

Iranian Central Bank building with national emblem

The leaked directive orders all major Iranian banks, payment networks, card systems, and financial institutions to enter an emergency operational mode immediately. This is not routine security protocol; it is a clear warning that the regime anticipates widespread unrest and systemic breakdown.

Key instructions in the document include:

• Preparing for blackouts and infrastructure collapse

• Securing and relocating critical financial data

• Activating crisis-mode parallel payment systems

• Preparing for system shutdowns and mass disruption

• Creating alternative financial survival mechanisms in case the regime loses control

  
  

This directive explicitly acknowledges the possibility of nationwide instability and a loss of control by the Iranian government. It is a written admission that the regime expects mass civil resistance and infrastructure breakdown, marking a critical moment in Iran’s political and economic landscape.

The leaked document suggests that the Iranian government is no longer considering the possibility of unrest as a distant threat. Instead, it is preparing for the inevitable. The regime’s focus on financial martial law preparation indicates a deep concern about the ability of the IRGC and other security forces to maintain order.

The timing is also notable. With the year 2026 finally here, many analysts have predicted increased pressure on the regime due to economic hardships, international sanctions, and growing public dissatisfaction. The leak confirms that the government is bracing for a potential revolution or overthrow scenario.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has long been the backbone of the regime’s internal security and crackdown efforts. This leak raises questions about how the IRGC will respond to the anticipated unrest and whether their current strategies will be sufficient to prevent a collapse.

The directive’s emphasis on financial systems suggests that the regime views economic control as a critical front in the coming struggle. Disruptions to banking and payment networks could cripple daily life and fuel further unrest, making the financial sector a key battleground.

Iranian banks and financial institutions have been instructed to:

• Secure critical data by relocating it to undisclosed locations

• Activate backup payment systems that can operate independently of the main infrastructure

• Prepare for extended blackouts and communication failures

  
  

These measures indicate that the regime expects not only protests but also sabotage and shutdown scenarios that could paralyze the country’s financial system. The directive’s language suggests that these preparations are urgent and comprehensive.

Backup data storage equipment in a server room

History shows that moments like this often precede major political shifts. The Iranian government’s open acknowledgment of potential collapse through this leak is rare and significant. It highlights the fragility of the regime and the seriousness of the challenges it faces.

The leak also serves as a warning to international observers and policymakers. The coming months could see increased instability, crackdowns, and possibly a tipping point leading to a revolution or overthrow of the current regime.

The leaked directive is a call to pay close attention to developments in Iran. The regime’s preparations for crisis mode suggest that the situation could deteriorate rapidly. Journalists, news editors, and analysts should monitor financial disruptions, government announcements, and IRGC activity closely.

The international community may also need to reconsider its approach to Iran, balancing sanctions and diplomatic efforts with the reality of a regime preparing for collapse.

Empty street in Iran with closed shops during unrest

This major leak from Iran’s Central Bank reveals a regime on edge, preparing for a crisis that many have feared but few expected to be so imminent. The detailed instructions to secure financial systems and prepare for blackouts and shutdowns show that the Iranian government is bracing for a rupture that could reshape the country’s future.

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