US war and sanctions push dignified life beyond reach for many Iranian families

September 13, 2026 at 04:45 PM2 min

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US bombing, intensified sanctions, and naval blockades have worsened economic hardship for Iranians, with year-on-year inflation at 89 percent and food inflation above 127 percent by late August. The national currency hit a record low of more than 1.37 million rials per US dollar last week. Many families now struggle to afford basic goods, as Bardia, a 23-year-old Tehran resident, says independence and family formation are becoming a distant dream.

Key Facts

Year-on-year inflation in Iran reached 89 percent by late August, while food inflation exceeded 127 percent, according to the Statistical Center of Iran.
The Iranian rial hit a new all-time low of more than 1.37 million per US dollar in Tehran's open market last week.
The US and Israel began a war on Iran on February 28, with months of bombing, intensified sanctions, and naval blockades.
Bardia, a 23-year-old Tehran resident, said his family of four lives on about 800 million rials (about $350) per month after government subsidies and food assistance.
The Iranian government hiked petrol prices last week, which is expected to have an inflationary effect.

Economic Hardship

Decades of domestic mismanagement and corruption paired with external intervention have made life difficult for most of Iran's about 90 million people. Months of US bombing, intensified sanctions, and naval blockades have significantly worsened the situation this year, in addition to January antigovernment protests and state restrictions on internet use. By late August, year-on-year inflation was at 89 percent, while food inflation stood at more than 127 percent compared with the same month last year, according to the Statistical Center of Iran. Iran's national currency hit a new all-time low of more than 1.37 million rials per US dollar in Tehran's open market last week, before slightly improving to about 1.3 million.

Family Struggles

Bardia, a 23-year-old living with his parents in eastern Tehran, said many people his age feel they have it even worse than the 1980s generation due to worsening sanctions creating a more volatile job market and inflation. His pensioner father works with online ride-hailing apps using a 15-year-old Iranian car, while his mother, a retired garment worker, earns intermittent income from sewing at home. After accounting for government cash subsidies and food assistance, the family has about 800 million rials (about $350 at the current exchange rate) per month, while expenses are surging daily. Bardia said they buy meat maybe once every six to eight weeks and can no longer afford to eat out, buy new clothes or household appliances, hoping medical bills do not upend their budget.