India, Sept. 1 -- The economic crisis is increasingly showing up in everyday life for Iranian families at the grocery shop, petrol stations and household budgets. The sharp economic fall in the rial, soaring food prices and fuel disruption are putting pressure on consumers just as Washington has stepped up its sanctions campaign against Tehran.

The latest US push, known as "Operation Economic Outcast," seeks to cut Iran off from remaining international financial channels. The campaign began on August 24 and has expanded the risk of secondary sanctions for companies and financial institutions that continue doing business with Iran.

That external pressure is landing on an economy that was already struggling with high inflation, weaker pur...