Iranians say regime is at war 'with its own people'

In Iran, the once-bustling bazaar in the city of Isfahan now reflects a pervasive quietness, mirroring the heavy weight of the country's upheaval over the past five months. Shopkeepers report a drastic drop in customers, with people hesitant to spend due to economic uncertainty and desperation. "People are genuinely desperate, and don't know how to move forward," said Vahid, a shopkeeper whose name was changed for his protection.

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Some days, I sit in my shop, and there are no customers. No-one even asks for the prices. People are completely devastated. They don't know whether to save their money, spend it on food or buy something else. People are genuinely desperate, and don't know how to move forward.

Iran faced significant economic challenges before the conflict, launched on February 28. Surging inflation and the devaluation of the Iranian Rial fueled large-scale protests against the hardline Islamic regime in January, which were met with a brutal crackdown. Since the conflict began, the strict security environment has intensified, according to Leila, another individual who requested anonymity.

"The Islamic Republic is not only at war with other countries, sending them messages of death, but it is also at war with its own people," Leila stated. She described constant checkpoints and an atmosphere of surveillance that instills fear and anxiety, contrasting sharply with the sense of safety police provide in other countries. "In our country, sadly, it's the opposite."

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The Islamic Republic is not only at war with other countries, sending them messages of death, but it is also at war with its own people.

Access to Iran is tightly controlled, making it rare for citizens to speak critically in person due to fear of repercussions. However, three individuals shared their insights on life under the regime as the conflict enters its fifth month. Shadi, also speaking anonymously, likened the situation to "two stray dogs tearing each other apart, and we're waiting to see what happens." She described ordinary Iranians as "sacrificial victims," caught in the middle like sheep awaiting slaughter, used for both celebrations and funerals.

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The moment we see them, our whole body starts shaking, even when we haven't done anything wrong.

The current situation follows a period of intense focus on the regime's violent crackdown on protesters before the conflict began. The pervasive sense of being under siege, both internally and externally, leaves many Iranians feeling powerless and fearful for their future.

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Right now it's like two stray dogs tearing each other apart, and we're waiting to see what happens. We're the ones caught in the middle, the sacrificial victims. You know how a sheep gets slaughtered, whether it's for a funeral or a wedding? That's us. Or like florists, they sell flowers for both weddings and funerals. We're being sacrificed in this war.