How US sanctions crippled lives of Iranians Trump says he wants to ‘help’
Al Jazeera • • nation
Key Points:
- Protests in Iran began in late December 2025 due to the plummeting rial and rising inflation, with food prices increasing by 72% compared to the previous year, spreading from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar to other provinces and challenging the government.
- The US has imposed extensive sanctions on Iran since 1979, intensifying under President Trump from 2018 with a "maximum pressure" campaign that severely restricted Iran’s oil exports and access to global finance, contributing to economic decline.
- Iran’s GDP per capita dropped from over $8,000 in 2012 to just above $5,000 in 2024, while oil exports fell by up to 80%, and the rial collapsed in value, causing inflation and reduced purchasing
