Iranians Grapple with Despair and Economic Collapse as Six-Month Conflict Drags On

When the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran six months ago, some Iranians experienced a complex mix of emotions, including a glimmer of hope for change.

“The one thing I am certain about is that I wasn’t sad,” said Negar, a 35-year-old lawyer, reflecting sentiments shared by others who spoke through voice messages and texts.

However, six months on, that initial optimism has largely faded, replaced by deep anxiety about the future, skepticism toward U.S. intentions, and growing desperation fueled by a deteriorating economy.

Throughout the conflict, The New York Times has maintained regular contact with Iranians, noting that while some initially saw the war as a potential turning point, many others remained loyal to the government or opposed both the regime and the idea of foreign intervention.

Regardless of their initial stance, many Iranians now doubt the government will collapse and are primarily focused on enduring an economic crisis worsened by the ongoing war.

“I can’t even begin to describe the anxiety we feel about what lies ahead,” said Negar, who, along with others interviewed, requested anonymity due to fear of government retaliation.

Fahimeh, 43, a former model in Tehran, expressed a sense of resignation: “I’m no longer waiting for anything. I’ve stopped trying to move forward and am simply trying to survive.”

For some, President Trump’s unpredictable policies marked a pivotal moment. Despite failing to achieve its stated objectives—preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, toppling the government, or dismantling its missile program—the U.S. escalated its rhetoric, threatening to devastate Iranian infrastructure and regress the country technologically. Civilian targets, including steel plants, petrochemical facilities, bridges, and cultural heritage sites, also suffered damage.

Several Iranians now perceive the U.S. not only as self-serving but also as inept and inconsistent.

“I never expected such a display of contradictory and immature behavior from them,” said Mostafa, 38, a tech worker in northern Gilan Province.

The U.S. continues to rely on intensified economic sanctions in hopes of compelling Iran to abandon its nuclear program or lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, despite early gains—including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—the Iranian government has proven more resilient than anticipated, growing increasingly authoritarian.

While many Iranians initially celebrated Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba assumed leadership, and the state responded with harsher suppression of dissent, executing dozens of political prisoners and cracking down on critics.

“The Islamic Republic believes it has triumphed over the world and that others now fear it,” said Behzad, 44, a public relations executive in Tehran.

Ali, 42, an engineer in Mazandaran Province, echoed this sentiment: “At this point, I have far less hope that the Islamic Republic will fall.”

For most Iranians, daily survival has become the primary concern amid an economy that was already spiraling before recent U.S. sanctions.

Inflation has surged to 84%, according to official data, while food prices climb weekly. Even basic items like eggs are now unaffordable for many middle- and working-class families. Fear of rising fuel costs—despite heavy subsidies—has led to long queues at gas stations.

The rial has hit a record low, trading at roughly two million per dollar, driving up costs for imported goods.

“Everyone is rushing to stock up on essentials, especially Pakistani rice,” said Marzieh, 44, a teacher in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Southern regions, heavily impacted by military strikes targeting the Strait of Hormuz, face greater hardship.

Basic staples such as chickpeas and beans have grown prohibitively expensive, forcing sacrifices like cutting back on dining out and social gatherings.

“What’s terrifying is that our salaries disappear before the month even ends,” she added.

On Friday, state media published remarks from Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei acknowledging the hardship and urging President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration to address economic pressures, including inflation, unemployment, and market volatility. He emphasized boosting domestic production as the key to recovery.

Amid mounting frustration, several Iranians anticipate renewed protests despite brutal crackdowns on earlier demonstrations in January. Those movements emerged in response to a collapsing rial—and conditions have only deteriorated since.

Reducing fuel subsidies could further strain households, as seen during similar measures in 2019 that sparked widespread unrest.

“You can’t suppress an economic uprising with force,” said Esmaeil, 37, an artist in Tehran. “War won’t stop it—and neither will violence.”

For now, countless Iranians are focused on navigating an increasingly precarious present.

Esmaeil described the prevailing mood as sinking into a “black hole”: “People are hungry, confused, and without a way forward. We are isolated in a devastating cycle of chaos and abandonment.”

Shirin Hakim and Sanam Mahoozi contributed reporting.

Source link