Life in limbo: How Iranians navigate a state of ‘no war, no peace’ | US-Israel war on Iran
Tehran Residents Face Uncertainty Amid Fractured Peace
TEHRAN—In eastern Tehran, Sajjad, a 25-year-old man, stands amidst the remnants of his father’s home, which lies in ruins after recent bombardments. The twisted iron and shattered concrete remain untouched since the attacks.
“Who will rebuild all this?” he asks, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Sajjad’s anguish reflects the plight of millions living in the Iranian capital. A fragile truce between the United States and Iran has temporarily halted air strikes. Recent talks mediated by Pakistan have seen Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visit Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. However, the cessation of bombings has not translated into peace for residents.
The Architecture of Waiting
The disparity in recovery across the city is stark. While laborers rush to repair cracked facades and shattered windows on partially damaged buildings, others languish in the ruins of completely leveled residential blocks and official structures.
Mohammad, a 39-year-old architect, notes that the cost of constructing a single unit has surged in recent months. The US-imposed maritime blockade has led to a devaluation of the national currency, while damage to domestic steel companies has increased material costs. Iran’s currency had already been in decline prior to the conflict due to stringent US sanctions.
Even if funds were available for rebuilding, persistent psychological and security concerns pose additional challenges. Authorities have informed displaced residents that they must either rebuild their properties independently or wait for post-war public tenders, which will be issued only after a definitive peace agreement.
“If the war returns tomorrow, everything we build will be a new target,” Sajjad adds.
Maryam, 52, is grappling with a severe housing crisis. Her home, located near the supreme leader’s office, was destroyed in the initial wave of attacks.
Initially sheltered in a government-funded hotel, she has recently been served an eviction notice. Although officials have promised a rental loan, she argues that the amount is insufficient.
“I don’t know how we will live in a small apartment that does not resemble our memories and does not meet our needs,” she says.
An Economic Blockade
In the Navvab Safavi neighborhood of western Tehran, the streets bustle and markets are relatively active as residents attempt to mitigate the losses caused by the conflict.
However, the economic situation remains precarious. Ashkbous, a 43-year-old administrative employee at the Ministry of Health, highlights that government price controls and a long-standing policy of self-sufficiency have prevented widespread food shortages. Nonetheless, fluctuating prices for essential goods such as electronics, meat, and medicine are pushing low-income families to their limits.
The US maritime blockade on southern ports continues to strain the country’s supply chains. Iran is attempting to circumvent these challenges by utilizing overland routes through neighboring countries and a clandestine fleet in Gulf waters. Despite these efforts, logistical issues are mounting for Iranian merchants.
Fereydoun, a 71-year-old trader, explains that rerouted shipments have disrupted delivery schedules and driven up costs, leaving customers with no option but to settle for lower-quality local alternatives.
“How can we order a cargo container when we don’t know if we will wake up tomorrow to the return of war or a stricter blockade?” he asks, noting that many businesses have paused operations entirely.
Yousra, a 47-year-old resident of Tehran, echoes this sentiment as she navigates the crowded markets.
“I feel like I am literally hanging between two walls,” she states. “The wall of anxiety over the resumption of war and the wall of hope for a political path to peace. What we are living through today is neither peace nor war, but psychological and economic attrition.”
