Iran’s currency dropped to another record low on Friday, underscoring the pressure sanctions and domestic economic weakness continue to place on ordinary people. The rial’s slide came as annual inflation remained above 42%, deepening the strain on household budgets already hit by years of instability.

Reuters reported that Tehran has tried to increase oil shipments to China, but U.S. sanctions have kept exports constrained. The limited room for maneuver has left the government with fewer options to support the currency or slow the rise in prices.

For many Iranians, the falling rial means higher costs for food, medicine, and imported goods, while wages continue to lose value. The economic deterioration has added to public frustration over a system that has failed to deliver stability or relief.

The latest figures point to a widening gap between official efforts to manage the economy and the daily reality facing civilians. With inflation still elevated and foreign-currency pressure intensifying, the outlook remains bleak for households across the country.