DUBAI, Feb 20 Reuters Iran39;s troubled currency broke below the psychologically key level of 500,000 rial per U.S. dollar on Monday, as market participants saw no end in sight to sanctions.

The Iranian rial plummeted to a new record low of 501,300 against the U.S. dollar, according to Bonbast.com which gathers live data from Iranian exchanges.

Facing an inflation rate of about 50, Iranians seeking safe havens for their savings have been buying dollars, other hard currencies or gold, suggesting further headwinds for the rial.

The reimposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018 by former President Donald J. Trump have harmed Iran39;s economy by limiting Tehran39;s oil exports and access to foreign currency.

Since September, nuclear talks between Iran and world powers to curb Tehran39;s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions have stalled, worsening economic expectations for Iran39;s future. Over the last six months, Iran39;s currency has slumped nearly 60 in value, according to Bonbast.com.

Meanwhile, the central bank said it was opening a new foreign exchange centre to ease access to foreign exchange and increase the volume of official transactions.

The rate set in this exchange will become the market39;s rate. It should be free from expectation factors that do not reflect our assessment of the country39;s financial situation, Mohammad Reza Farzin, the central bank governor, told state TV on Monday.

Farzin was appointed in December as governor with the…