Sanctions will make & have made things difficult by presenting obstacles, but not enough to bring down the regime or stop its nuclear program; if that’s the intention. They might long-term, who knows... but I doubt it.
Iran’s economy has its problem, some more serious than others. Sanctions have naturally limited direct foreign investment in Iran too & there is the usual widespread corruption.
However, the main problems for the average Iranian are unemployment & inflation. Reasons why those Iranians who can are looking elsewhere, especially in central Asia/Asia & the Gulf states such as Oman, UAE, Qatar, etc.. For example, I recently read somewhere that about 20% (perhaps slightly more) of Dubai-UAE’s domestic economy is run by Iranian expats.
Also, Iran has made the development of non-oil exports a priority, and the bonyads (religious foundations) control around 20 to 25% of Iran’s GDP, and contribute to more than 30% of regime’s spending.
In addition to India & China, Russia, Venezuela, Pakistan, S. Africa, Cuba, and Turkey are some of the other major trading partners. Obviously sanctions don’t only affect Iran. This is a customer-supplier relationship, so others as well as Iran will find ways to continue to trade.
However, the main problems for the average Iranian are unemployment & inflation.
Too right!