A renewed wave of airstrikes and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have deepened economic hardship and social distress across Iran, as many Iranians grapple with uncertainty and daily struggles for survival. The latest cycle of conflict, which has included attacks on military and civilian infrastructure, comes amid a sharp decline in the Iranian currency and widespread economic instability.

Residents in Iran’s southern provinces have reported extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including power networks, railroads, bridges, and water desalination facilities. Officials in Hormozgan province stated that airstrikes disrupted electricity and water supplies, leaving many communities without running water and enduring power outages amid soaring temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The U.S. government has not issued comments on these claims.

The turmoil traces back to last year’s 12-day conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian sites across the region. Following this period, Iran experienced a months-long internet blackout and an economic collapse marked by a precipitous fall in the currency’s value. The resulting financial crisis fueled antigovernment protests that expanded nationwide in late 2019 and early 2020, leading to harsh crackdowns that authorities described as necessary to maintain order but were condemned by rights groups for resulting in thousands of deaths.

After a brief respite due to a cease-fire last month, hostilities resumed when diplomatic progress faltered. According to individuals familiar with recent discussions, U.S. President Donald Trump convened advisers this past Friday to deliberate potential intensification of military actions against Iranian targets.

Ordinary Iranians express a pervasive sense of powerlessness amid the ongoing conflict and economic disarray. Behnam, a 38-year-old unemployed musician in Tehran, said the focus of conversations with family and friends has shifted from traditional concerns such as employment and future plans to basic questions about access to food. “It has honestly reached a point where we’re only thinking about survival,” he said.

Others echo similar sentiments. Asal, a 20-year-old shopkeeper near Tehran who participated in the January protests, described the arrest and mistreatment she and others endured. She expressed disillusionment with international interventions, stating that promises from U.S. officials to support regime change have not materialized. Farzad, a web designer living in Tehran, recounted how some have been forced to curtail medical care and adjust diets by substituting vitamins for fresh produce due to rising costs. He noted that the economic crisis translates directly into lived hardship beyond any official statistics.

Despite widespread grievances, some Iranians support the government’s stance, viewing resistance against U.S. pressure and efforts to preserve sovereignty as of paramount importance. Hossein, an online business operator from Bandar Abbas, emphasized the value of maintaining independence even at great cost. This viewpoint aligns with public demonstrations in several cities where loyalists urge continued defiance rather than seeking peace.

In the midst of this volatile environment, many citizens express concern over the future, particularly regarding their children’s education and livelihood prospects. Farideh, 51, from the south, described the crisis as “an extremely bitter, stressful experience” and criticized the political leadership for allowing the situation to deteriorate further.

The continued cycle of violence, economic decline, and political repression underscores the precarious position of ordinary Iranians caught between international conflict and domestic authoritarian measures. As the situation evolves, many remain trapped in uncertainty, with little control over the forces shaping their lives.