Iranians are enduring the fallout of the US-Israeli war against their country for a fourth week, while being squeezed by a worsening economic crisis and the longest internet shutdown in the nation's history. Although much of the country is closed this week for Nowruz holidays, there have been numerous unexpected disruptions this year, including the 12-day war with Israel and the US in June, bloody nationwide protests in January, and air pollution linked to an energy crisis.

For many business owners, significantly reduced market activity over the past year, particularly ahead of Nowruz, has led to sharply slashed incomes. A vendor selling textiles at Tehran's Grand Bazaar said, "There was some action in those last few days, but our sales were probably about one-third of usual levels around this time, which is supposed to be the peak season." He requested anonymity due to security concerns.

Iranians' purchasing power has been steadily declining for years, and well-paying jobs have become scarce due to a destructive mix of local corruption and mismanagement, compounded by a "maximum pressure" campaign of comprehensive sanctions initiated in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. Annual inflation was officially around 70% before the war, with food inflation rates exceeding 100%, signaling more trouble ahead for lower-income Iranians. The stock market was in decline with capital flight, and experts raised concerns about potential hyperinflation and dollarization of the struggling economy.

The government has claimed it is cutting spending and will raise the minimum wage for workers by 60%, along with offering a meagre cash subsidy, but rising costs have proven crushing, especially since the 12-day war in June. Taxes have also increased significantly this year. A small grocery shopkeeper in western Tehran noted that the store has regularly had access to most goods since the war began on February 28, but rising prices have dismayed customers: "You can see a lot of people double-checking prices or making calculations when shopping. It's a common sight these days."

Some families left Tehran and other major cities shortly after the war started and have yet to return, concerned about safety for themselves and loved ones. Many are depleting their modest savings and face an uncertain future. While Donald Trump suggested on Monday that diplomacy might still have a chance to stop the war, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to launch projectiles at regional neighbors and drive up global energy costs.

Inside Iran, the fact that over 90 million people have been blocked from accessing the global internet for a 25th day is making everything grimmer for a population left in the dark. The shutdown has not only prevented most Iranians from voicing their concerns to the global community during the war and largely limited information flow to state-run outlets, but it has also inflicted serious psychological and financial pain. A young woman running a small online business selling jewelry on Instagram and Telegram said, "This time, there isn't even a word about when the internet might be reconnected. It's not only humiliating but forcing businesses to close and inflation to grow."

Authorities have shuttered or suspended the online pages of many private businesses for expressing solidarity with killed protesters, even through Instagram stories. The judiciary has also confiscated assets of several Iranians, including a renowned businessman who owned cafes and food brands, for protesting. The first deputy of the judiciary, Hamzeh Khalili, stated in a video message on Monday, "The court cases of terrorist agents of the enemy that have led to definitive sentences are being implemented."

Iran executed multiple people over the past week based on national security charges related to last year's June war and the nationwide protests in January. Authorities continue to crack down on any efforts amid the internet shutdown to send footage of war or armed state-run checkpoints on the streets to media outlets outside the country. The IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency released the "confessions" of an unidentified young woman with a black mask covering her eyes and mouth on Tuesday, who was arrested for filming a missile impact point from her home window.

Iranian authorities have explicitly warned that anyone protesting against the establishment on the streets will be shot and killed as an "enemy." They continue to mobilize pro-establishment paramilitary and civilian backers to maintain control on the ground. Addressing the Iranian people this week, the top US military commander in the region, Brad Cooper, said it is better for anti-government protesters "to stay inside for now," but added that, as President Trump indicated, there will be a clear signal at some point to come out.

Source: www.aljazeera.com