Follow the Money

A Russian website, helpfully translated (albeit roughly) by Google, is reporting that a lot of money has been leaving Iran in the last 48 hours.

What does it mean? It means wealthy people in Iran are predicting a revolution; or at least they don't want to bet their fortune on it. When revolutions take place, there's always the possibility that the new government will begin to seize assets, and if you've got big assets, the best way to protect yourself is to get your money out.

I wonder what would be triggering this money exodus 48 hours ago? Well, 48 hours ago in Tehrah it was Monday, the first major business day after Saturday. (I honestly don't know if Iranian banks are open on Sundays, but I think major transactions with international banks would probably have to wait until Monday.) On Friday, the Supreme Leader said that protests would be put down violently. On Saturday, people came out in huge numbers anyway. On Monday, money began to leave Iran.

Just follow the money. Granted, this is a precautionary move, but it's still significant. Note that it's not overly cautious. They waited until now to start moving money. They weren't moving it last week. Now that people are shouting, "Death to Khamenei" in the streets, money is leaving.

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