Six Months of War: How Life in Iran Has Changed

More than six months since the United States and Israel launched their campaign against Iran, daily life for most Iranians has markedly deteriorated. While Iran's military and political leadership has adapted to wartime changes without major ideological concessions, for much of the country's 90 million people, day-to-day existence has become a struggle for survival.

The war began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The government has survived, with Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, chosen as the new supreme leader—though he has kept a low public profile—and a reshuffled military command.

Within the ruling establishment, a rift has emerged between those advocating a diplomatic resolution and those demanding continued fighting until Washington withdraws. Yet all factions agree on one point: there will be no 'surrender' to the United States or Israel.

Iran has announced a deal with Oman to open a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has fallen sharply from pre-war levels due to attacks. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is reportedly opposed to the agreement, insisting on the complete reopening of the strait. Major disagreements persist over Iran's nuclear program and other issues.

International mediators have struggled to restart U.S.-Iran negotiations, with no breakthrough. Washington has imposed its harshest sanctions yet on Tehran. Meanwhile, pro-government supporters, who rally nightly in cities, demand that the conflict continue without yielding to Washington.

Yet many Iranians—including some within President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration—fear the prolonged war is causing irreversible damage. The conflict has killed more than 3,500 people, destroyed civilian infrastructure, and left businesses and families in limbo. Marjan, a young woman in Tehran, said: 'I just want a life free of constant conflict, isolation from the world, and having to plan for survival.'

Iran's economy is running at a fraction of its potential after decades of mismanagement, corruption, sanctions, and external pressure. The country has been in a 'neither war nor peace' state for over two years, punctuated by two wars with the United States and Israel and periodic blockades. The Statistical Center of Iran reported inflation for the month of Mordad (ending August 22) at 89% year-on-year, with food inflation surging past 127%.

Bijan, a 33-year-old data analyst in Tehran, said his salary used to be equivalent to about $1,000 a month when he started working three years ago, but after three raises, its real value has dropped to under $500 due to inflation. 'No one imagined things would get this bad,' he said. The Iranian rial has hit new record lows, trading at 2.06 million rials to the dollar on the free market.

Damage to oil, petrochemical, steel, power, factory, housing, port, airport, and bridge infrastructure has left one of the world's most resource-rich countries facing acute fuel and electricity shortages. The government has cut fuel quotas for private vehicles, plans to raise gasoline prices in the coming weeks, and is bracing for gas shortfalls this winter.

On the social front, the Iranian government has emphasized a message of 'sacred unity' for the world, but the mixed signals are hard to miss. In a recent address, new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered a ban on actions that harm social cohesion. Just hours later, President Pezeshkian went on television to say the government faces severe financial trouble—unable to sell oil—and cannot improve living conditions.

Judicial and security bodies have intensified crackdowns on acts or commentary deemed out of step with the official line. Courts have continued to announce new executions weekly, including individuals detained during the 12-day war in June 2025 and nationwide anti-government protests in January. The Intelligence Ministry has published lists of individuals and media outlets Iranians are forbidden to contact for national security reasons. The United Nations and international human rights groups have condemned the executions.

The government has also tightened enforcement of the mandatory hijab law following the 2022-2023 protests over dress codes. This week, several cafes, ice cream shops, and online sellers were shuttered for allegedly flouting Islamic norms. Sasan, another young Tehran resident, observed that historically, when external pressure mounts, the authorities tend to tighten control. 'Sometimes I feel hopeless, when everything is against you and your future is out of your hands,' he said.