Iranian households are feeling the strain of a war that has now lasted seven months, with basic necessities becoming increasingly unaffordable. The United States’ blockade of Iran’s oil exports has cut off a crucial source of revenue, forcing families across the country to tighten their belts.
Everyday hardships from Tehran to the provinces
Behnam Riazi, a restaurant owner in Tehran, told reporters he is forced to sell his goods at a minimal profit just to stay afloat. “I can’t close the business because then I’d be unemployed,” he said, noting that customers can no longer afford anything beyond essential food items.
In northern Iran, 60‑year‑old housewife Hediyeh survives on her husband’s civil‑service pension. She struggles to purchase medicine for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, and even basic supplies such as adult diapers. When she tried to buy a school bag for her grandson, the price was five or six times higher than expected, leaving her to settle for a notebook and pencils.
A.J., a teacher who asked to be identified only by his initials, said he can no longer reliably afford the medication his mother needs. He has moved back to a northern village after schools in Tehran shifted online, fearing he will be unable to return to the capital when in‑person classes resume.
Black‑market costs and corruption rise
Those who can still access goods through the black market report that prices have surged. One man paid $200 in hard currency to a surgeon to bypass bureaucratic delays for an operation. Another complained that police bribes at checkpoints have become more frequent and more expensive.
Even wealthier Iranians are cutting back. An architect, identified only as A.A., said, “All of them have become poor relative to the lifestyle they used to have.” He is now driving on a spare tire because a new tire is beyond his budget.
Job losses and household coping strategies
The private sector is shedding jobs at a rapid pace. M.H., a woman employed in procurement for a local Tehran business, lost her position this month despite her contract being renewed the day before. She now must return the company’s contribution to Iran’s social‑security system, forcing her family to prioritize food above all else.
Former engineer Bijan, now a private tutor, and his wife have left their Tehran flat for a neighborhood he described as a “half slum” outside the capital. Their savings are exhausted, and they plan to relocate to another city in search of cheaper living costs.
Shop owner Ramin Yousefnia observed that customers have dramatically reduced their purchases. “Something they used to buy five or ten of, they can only buy two of now,” he said, adding that savings have become a distant memory for most.
Potential diplomatic implications
Analysts note that the economic pressure may eventually push Iran toward diplomatic compromise, though the government continues to tighten its control over Gulf energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping global oil and gas prices high. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned of unrest and have responded with harsh crackdowns on dissent.
While the war’s human toll remains unclear, the daily reality for ordinary Iranians is one of mounting hardship, reduced purchasing power, and growing uncertainty about the future.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
