The regime in Tehran is still standing after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, but its economy is collapsing and could spark more unrest among the population.
Iran’s economy was already in shambles before the war began more than three months ago, with high inflation and a currency crash spurring mass protests in late December.
But the war has only made conditions worse. Unemployment and prices have soared, including for basic food items. The Iranian government’s own data showed that the price of cooking oil is up 430% compared to a year ago, with eggs up 345%, rice 287%, and milk 139%.
“We have all become poor,” a resident of Tehran told Radio Free Europe’s Radio Farda earlier this month. “Those of us who were once middle class, or a little above it, are now financially destitute.”
He added that he has sold his furniture, appliances, carpets and other household items to survive. On top of that, he’s unemployed and has resorted to making sandwiches to sell on the subway. Meanwhile, his phone bill and electricity bill have jumped fivefold.
