Iran’s rial slid to a record low on Sunday, underscoring the pressure on households already facing stubborn inflation and a weakening economy. The currency drop comes as fresh U.S. sanctions tighten the outlook for oil exports, a key source of government revenue and foreign exchange.

The latest decline adds to a long-running crisis in Iran, where ordinary people have seen purchasing power erode while prices for basic goods continue to climb. Economists say the combination of sanctions, fiscal strain, and limited access to hard currency has left policymakers with fewer tools to stabilize the market.

The economic fallout is being felt most sharply by civilians, who must cope with higher costs for food, rent, and essentials. While officials in Tehran continue to face mounting pressure to contain the damage, the immediate burden falls on families whose wages have not kept pace with inflation.

The new sanctions also threaten to further complicate Iran’s oil trade, deepening uncertainty for an economy already under severe stress. For many Iranians, the latest currency collapse is another sign that the country’s financial system remains vulnerable and that relief may not come soon.