Iranians endure war fatigue and soaring prices as conflict deepens domestic woes

Iran’s economy and society are collapsing under the weight of war and economic sanctions, leaving citizens exhausted and anxious. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed a deal to end the conflict was imminent after canceling planned strikes, but renewed fighting risks further devastation. Iran has faced two wars in the past year—Israel’s 12-day assault in 2025 and a joint U.S.-Israel offensive since February 28—both disrupting nuclear talks and destabilizing the country. Strikes on Iran’s steel, petrochemical, and energy sectors have triggered mass business closures and job losses, while food inflation exceeds triple digits, making groceries unaffordable. Huraz Ahmadi, a 19-year-old Tehran street vendor, fears renewed conflict, saying, ‘In wars, innocent people die,’ after losing a relative. Fresh U.S. strikes in late February caused brief panic in Tehran, with explosions and air defenses sparking gas line surges, though normalcy returned quickly. Iranian negotiators demand sanctions relief and an end to the U.S. naval blockade, which has strangled oil exports and imports of raw materials. Mehdi Bostanchi, a Tehran-based industrialist and trade group member, warned that supply chain disruptions are pushing businesses to the brink. His group includes textile, food, and metal producers, all struggling under uncertainty. ‘Society is tired of instability,’ Bostanchi said, adding that wider war would push Iran into further chaos. The Iranian rial has lost over half its value, deepening economic despair. Many Iranians, like an anonymous late-20s resident, describe life as ‘a political game’ where planning is impossible. ‘War is becoming normal,’ they said, highlighting the psychological toll of constant conflict. With negotiations stalled and strikes ongoing, Iran’s future remains precarious, balancing between hope for peace and the threat of deeper crisis.