Some Iranians hoped foreign intervention would unseat the regime, but instead the US-Israel war has damaged livelihoods and strengthened those in power, according to interviews with citizens.
Speaking from Tehran, Saeed, a pseudonym for security reasons, said the economy is worse than before the protests began in December, with daily raids, arrests and executions emboldening the regime. He described sharp generational disagreements, with older relatives believing state TV propaganda and dismissing young protesters as brainwashed.
Anti-government protests were met with a deadly crackdown: thousands killed, over 50,000 arrested, and at least 226 executed this year, according to rights groups. The regime has set up military training booths in Tehran to teach civilians how to operate Kalashnikovs, and pro-government rallies with machine-gun-mounted Jeeps have flooded social media.
Elnaz, a rights activist, expressed concern over children and teenagers being used in checkpoint inspections and shown holding machine guns on state TV. Many Iranians worry that war is being normalised.
Amir, a business owner from Mashhad, said he once hoped for US intervention but now feels humiliated by the never-ending auction over Iranian lives. Soaring prices for groceries and medication, along with a near-90-day internet blackout, have left many struggling to meet basic needs.
