Tehran baker fights hunger amid Iran's converging crises

In Tehran, the daily lives of people are increasingly defined by a relentless convergence of crises: war, inflation, internet shutdowns, arrests, and volatile currency exchange rates. This pervasive uncertainty means many Iranians focus on the immediate future, living day by day rather than planning for years ahead.

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The purchasing power of people has massively decreased. Most families spend their entire income on essential expenses. Computer accessories have become a luxury good for most people.

Siavash, owner of a computer accessory shop, observes that while the market may appear busy, the reality is a sharp decline in purchasing power. "The purchasing power of people has massively decreased," he stated. "Most families spend their entire income on essential expenses. Computer accessories have become a luxury good for most people."

Managing a business amidst such economic instability is exhausting. Siavash explains that fluctuating exchange rates, sometimes changing multiple times a day, force constant price adjustments. "We buy our goods in dollars and euros. Sometimes the exchange rates change several times a day so drastically that we are forced to adjust our prices. Often, before I tell the customer the final price, I quickly check the dollar exchange rate on my phone. It's frustrating, for me and for my customers." The inability to plan, such as traveling to Dubai for inventory due to flight cancellations, further exacerbates the problem, leading to dwindling stock.

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We buy our goods in dollars and euros. Sometimes the exchange rates change several times a day so drastically that we are forced to adjust our prices. Often, before I tell the customer the final price, I quickly check the dollar exchange rate on my phone. It's frustrating, for me and for my customers.

The economic pressure extends even to basic necessities like bread. Hadi, a young baker, shared the emotional toll of witnessing workers leave his shop without purchasing bread after inquiring about the price. "Every time it hurts my heart." Over the past year, bread prices have surged between 100% and 140%, depending on the type and region. These recurring scenes have prompted Hadi to initiate a community effort, attaching a large board to his bakery wall.

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Every time it hurts my heart.