Iran’s Economy in Ruins: 226 Executed, 50,000 Arrested as War and Sanctions Crush Ordinary People

The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, sparking a war that has crippled the country. Internet was cut for months, food and medicine prices have soared, and thousands have lost their jobs [167580]. Human rights groups say at least 226 people have been executed this year, and over 50,000 were arrested during protests that began in December, according to the US-based HRANA group [167580].

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed reports of mass executions following recent protests, claiming the unrest is now contained and that official casualty figures have been exaggerated [47146]. The protests began on November 15 after a government decision to raise fuel prices [47146]. Internet access in Iran remains heavily restricted, making verification difficult for outside observers [47146].

The regime has begun training civilians, including children, to use weapons. State television shows teenagers handling Kalashnikov rifles [167580]. “The use of children in security checkpoints and the broadcast of military training on TV have caused great concern,” says Elnaz, a human rights activist in Tehran. “Many child rights activists have protested. War should not be normalized” [167580].

Amir, a businessman from Mashhad who once hoped US intervention would bring political change, now feels humiliated. “This is not a ceasefire. It is an endless auction between the US and the Islamic Republic over our lives and our blood,” he says. “Trump threatened to send us back to the Stone Age, then treated this war like a business deal. He keeps changing his promises. It is truly humiliating” [167580].

The economic crisis is deepening. Noor, a 39-year-old café owner in Tehran, says her business is not failing yet, but she fears the worst. “It will take years to recover from the emotional and economic devastation caused by the January massacre and the war,” she says. “Even if this ceasefire holds, in a few months the economy will be so desperate that people will return to the streets out of pure despair” [167580].

Widespread videos on social media show destroyed homes, schools and music academies. One video shows Hamidreza Afarideh, co-founder of a music school in eastern Tehran, sitting among the rubble of a building that once sheltered children learning to play instruments [167580].

Ro, a 42-year-old musician in Tehran, condemns the attacks. “What country has achieved freedom through military invasion? Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria?” he asks. “This attack was carried out under the false pretext of bringing democracy and saving the Iranian people. Instead, it has killed many of my compatriots and destroyed vital infrastructure” [167580].

President Donald Trump has advised Kurdish forces not to join the fight against Iran, saying “the war is complicated enough without having – getting the Kurds involved” [89966]. Trump was returning to Florida after attending a memorial service for six US soldiers killed in action [89966].

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has again threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes, following a US attack on Iranian radar facilities [167750]. The US military confirmed the strikes, calling them a response to recent attacks on American assets [167750].

For many Iranians, survival is now the only goal. “Right now we are just trying to survive,” says Amir. “No one can fight on an empty stomach” [167580].