The sanctions affect everyone in Iran. The elites and people actually involved in the nuclear program in Iran have access to dollars/western markets via smuggling networks and other underground efforts (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Zarrab, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-us-citizens-one-pakistani..., NIOC and ship-to-ship transfers, etc). The result is that unconnected people suffer and the elites continue on like before. Is it fair to deny a rug vendor in Tehran who wants to export some of their carpets to Europe their living because they live in a country with a terrible government?