Iran’s rial fell to a fresh record low on Sunday, deepening the economic strain on ordinary people as traders pointed to renewed U.S. sanctions and tighter restrictions on oil-related revenue. The latest slide underscores how external pressure continues to hit a currency already weakened by years of inflation, isolation and policy mismanagement.

Market participants said the weaker exchange rate followed moves targeting Iran’s oil exports and financial channels, both of which are central to the government’s access to hard currency. As the rial loses more value, prices for imported goods and basic household items are likely to remain under pressure, adding to the burden on families already coping with declining purchasing power.

The currency rout also reflects broader anxiety about Iran’s economy, where sanctions have narrowed trade options and reduced confidence in the local market. While officials have often blamed foreign pressure alone, the crisis has also exposed the limits of the state’s economic management and its inability to shield civilians from the fallout.

For many Iranians, the latest record low is more than a market number. It is another sign that the country’s financial crisis is worsening, with workers, pensioners and small businesses carrying the cost of a system that has failed to stabilize the economy or protect livelihoods.