Iran defiant 100 days into US-Israel war, civilians bear brunt

Tehran, Iran – One hundred days into a war initiated by the United States and Israel, Iranian authorities project defiance, with no clear resolution in sight and civilians enduring the conflict's harshest impacts. While daily life in the capital shows signs of normalcy, with shops open and traffic partially restored, the economic toll is evident. Millions of jobs have been suspended or eliminated following protests, aerial bombardments, and internet shutdowns over recent months.

Security forces and military hardware are a constant presence in Tehran. At night, checkpoints and state-sponsored motorcades chanting religious slogans become common. Public squares and streets are often closed for pro-government gatherings, featuring banners and billboards of Hezbollah and other members of the Tehran-backed "axis of resistance."

Images of Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly succeeded his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader after his father's assassination on the war's first day, are displayed. Mojtaba Khamenei, who was allegedly wounded in the same strikes, has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership, only issuing written statements attributed to him. Funeral processions for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years, have not yet been held, with family members and other officials buried months after their deaths.

Concerns over assassinations and intelligence leaks persist, leading to the parliament's closure except for limited online sessions. Universities and schools remain shut, with deferred exams moving online. Many police forces now operate from street-side desks following bombings of their stations. Despite these challenges, the Islamic Republic's institutions and officials remain in power, including IRGC leaders who continue to disrupt energy and goods flow through the Strait of Hormuz and resist the US blockade of Iranian ports.