Iran is facing severe economic turmoil, largely attributed to US sanctions that have caused the rial to plummet to record lows against the dollar. The US State Department has highlighted how these sanctions hinder Iran’s budget adherence and access to essential goods and technology, exacerbating soaring inflation and diminishing citizens’ purchasing power. Additionally, Iran is grappling with critical energy shortages, leading to frequent power outages. The Iranian government’s struggle to manage these crises raises concerns about its effectiveness, while critics argue that sanctions have inadvertently allowed China to increase imports of sanctioned Iranian oil, questioning the sanctions’ overall efficacy.