‘Getting pummeled’ – Embattled Iranians speak out on war impact

Tehran residents cite economic hardship and conflicting messages as ceasefire doubts persist.

By World Israel News Staff

Many ordinary Iranians remain deeply skeptical about the prospects for a lasting ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington while growing increasingly frustrated by the economic toll of the ongoing conflict.

“I get a headache looking at the news and Trump saying they might get a deal in two days or two weeks,” a Tehran-based cafe owner, speaking anonymously, told Al Jazeera.

The business owner described sharp increases in the cost of essential supplies, forcing him to remove some items from his menu because they were no longer profitable.

According to the owner, the price of coffee alone has risen by 250% in only three weeks.

“I just know that I’m getting pummeled here,” he told the outlet.

“Everyone I speak to regularly for my work – from the local butcher to the baker, grocery shop owner and the customer – is complaining. A lot of vendors say the price they’ve been selling at keeps falling behind the price of their next purchase very fast.”

He added that the broader economic slowdown caused by the war has left consumers with less disposable income, leading many to cut back on spending.

A young woman working as a digital marketer, who also spoke anonymously to Al Jazeera, expressed doubts that Tehran and Washington could reach a durable agreement.

She pointed to conflicting public statements from both sides, noting that President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested a deal is imminent while Iranian officials have downplayed such expectations.

“The two of them don’t go with each other,” she said. “How could they reach a deal when one of them says something and the other says something completely different?”