Why is Iran’s economy struggling? | BBC News

Since the 12‑day war between Israel and Iran ended, the United States has added yet more financial sanctions to try and cut the amount of money Iran can earn from oil exports. The US wants to stop Tehran from funding its nuclear programme and supporting its proxies in the Middle East such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen. As the world’s seventh biggest oil producer, Iran should be a wealthy country, but because the government of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues to spend huge sums on weapons, living standards have been falling for years. Talking Business explores the impact on the lives of regular Iranians and asks what it will take to make the country prosperous once again.