US President Donald Trump issued a threat to destroy Iran. In a social media post, he stated: "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" These threats are tied to demands to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials mocked his 20:00 ET (01:00 BST Wednesday) deadline. A presidential aide said his "insults and nonsense" were out of "sheer desperation and anger." However, the BBC managed to talk to several Iranians, despite an internet blackout imposed by the authorities over five weeks ago.
Kasra, a 20-year-old in Tehran, said: "It feels like we're sinking deeper into a swamp. What can we do as ordinary people? We can't do anything. We can't stop him [Trump]. I keep thinking about a scenario where, in a month, I'm sitting with my family with no water, no electricity, nothing."
While Iranian state TV has been showing videos of well-stocked grocery shops, the BBC heard that some people are stockpiling and are worried the water supply might be disrupted. Mina, also in her 20s from Tehran, said: "My mum is filling every bottle she can find in the house with water. I've no idea what we're going to do now."
Arman, in his 20s from Karaj west of Tehran, said: "I've thanked Israel and the US for almost all of what they've hit so far. But hitting a power station just paralyses the country. It just plays into the Islamic Republic's hands." Iranian media reported 13 people killed and almost 100 injured when a bridge under construction in Karaj was bombed on Thursday.
Radin, also in his 20s living in Tehran, said: "About them hitting energy infrastructure, using an atomic bomb, or levelling Iran. My honest reaction is that I'm OK with all of these. If attacking targets in the country brings down the Islamic Republic, I'm fine with that."
Many of those the BBC talked to are worried about the economic impact of the war. Bahman, a 20-year-old in Tehran, said: "I think Trump is scared of what Iran is going to do. I'm sure that Iran will hit everywhere in the region in retaliation." He added he has stopped going to work as a building superintendent engineer since no one is building anything now.
Jamshid, a 30-year-old restaurant manager in Tehran, said his business was "not the same as before [the war]." He stated: "I'm not optimistic about the situation. I estimate that I can hold this up for a month, maybe two, at most. The rent is breaking my back." Monthly rent is 200 million tomans (approx. $1,270), high compared to the average monthly salary estimated at $200-$300.
Most people the BBC talked to are still paying hefty prices for internet access. The main route has been sharing connections through those with Starlink satellite internet systems. However, using or possessing Starlink in Iran carries a punishment of up to two years in prison, and authorities have reportedly been searching for dishes to stop connections. Internet access is sold on Telegram for around $6 per 1GB of data.
Marjan, in her 20s from Tehran, said: "I feel like I'm losing my mind. I didn't even renew my internet package that I'm paying so much for. What's the point if Trump hits energy infrastructure? I'm distressed. My parents too… they argue over the smallest things now."
Source: www.bbc.com