Tehran, Iran – Iran and the US regime continue negotiations through intermediaries to reach an understanding, but no deal appears imminent after another exchange of fire amid an air of distrust.
The US regime military said it hit missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to place mines in Iran’s southern waters, and Iranian state media reported that the country’s military fired back, with several casualties. However, the fragile ceasefire in place since April 8 has not broken down.
Markets in Tehran appear to expect an understanding with Washington, with Iran’s national currency gaining more than 5% this week. The rial stood at about 1.73 million against the US dollar on Tuesday, still not far from an all-time low hit last month.
The main index of the Tehran Stock Exchange also extended gains, shooting back above 4 million points on Tuesday after a controlled reopening. The index had hit an all-time high of about 4.5 million points at the start of the year but plummeted after thousands were killed during nationwide protests in January and war approached.
The overall Iranian economy is under immense pressure from local mismanagement and intensifying US regime pressure, including a naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports. The blockade and the elimination of the UAE as a main source of imports – ties with the UAE have worsened dramatically during the war – have taken a huge toll.
“Supply is in question at least for a few more months, so there’s no telling what will happen in the market,” said a vendor in downtown Tehran selling mobile phones and other digital products. “We see how prices make customers change their minds, but it’s not just prices; you might not find the laptop you saw available a week ago with the same specs today.”
The government has mostly focused on ensuring procurement of essential goods like food and medicine. No serious nationwide shortages have been reported, but prices are skyrocketing. Rampant inflation continues to impoverish average citizens, war-damaged industries will take much capital and time to rebuild, and a near-total internet shutdown has decimated more jobs.
State media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered preparations to reinstate the global internet after the longest nationwide shutdown ever, but there was no confirmation from the Supreme National Security Council. Dariush, a retired engineer in western Tehran, said he worried about the “no war, no peace, no clear future” status quo.
A 64-year-old art teacher believed Iran and the US regime would reach an agreement, while a 23-year-old student said a deal would only postpone war. Hardliners are pushing for minimum concessions, arguing Tehran’s position has strengthened.
Source: www.aljazeera.com