US attacks deepen hardship, not dissent, in Iran's south

Southern Iran, a region bordering the vital Strait of Hormuz, has become a focal point of US military action, with strikes targeting ports, energy facilities, and transportation infrastructure. Washington asserts these actions aim to curb Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the strategic waterway. However, many residents in the impoverished south feel the strikes have exceeded legitimate military targets, significantly disrupting their lives. Residents interviewed by Reuters expressed deep frustration, with one boarding house owner stating, "Trump has ruined our lives." He and others described worsening economic hardship and a feeling of suffocation due to the intensified conflict. Despite the increased difficulties, the strikes have not translated into renewed support for anti-government protests in the south, a region historically known for dissent. Many southerners, including those who have participated in past protests, indicated they do not currently support further unrest. One retired teacher from Abadan stated his willingness to fight for Iran's soil, "not for this regime but for the soil beneath my feet," highlighting a complex mix of national pride and dissatisfaction with the current government. The region, home to diverse ethnic minorities like Arabs, Balochis, and Sunni Muslims, also suffers from perceived underinvestment, limited opportunities, and poor public services, issues exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. "The US attacks have deepened our problems. No electricity for hours means no water for hours in this heat," said a grocery shop owner in Khuzestan province. The war has introduced new fears, with nights filled with explosions and days marked by heat, power outages, and concerns over water supply, despite authorities denying regional discrimination.

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Trump has ruined our lives.