How has life changed for Iranians six months into the war?

Tehran, Iran – More than six months into the US-Israel war on Iran , the quality of life for most Iranians has deteriorated.

Iran’s military and political establishment has managed to adapt to the changing circumstances the war has brought without making any major concessions to its ideological principles. For most of the country’s 90 million people, life has become a daily struggle.

The war started on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes that saw the assassination of then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as key figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other state bodies.

Despite this, the government remained in place with the late leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, selected as the country’s supreme leader but remaining out of the public glare, while other military commanders were also replaced.

Within the establishment, there is a split between those who want a diplomatic resolution to the war and others wishing to fight until the US backs away in defeat. But all agree there will be no “capitulation” to the United States and Israel.

Iran says it has reached an understanding with Oman over opening a transit route in the Strait of Hormuz, where sea traffic has been a trickle of pre-war levels due to Iranian and US attacks.

But US President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly opposed to the deal and favours the full and unrestricted reopening of the strait. Significant disagreements remain outstanding over Iran’s nuclear programme and a host of other issues.

International mediators continue to make efforts to revive talks between the US and Iran, but there is no breakthrough in sight while Washington has imposed its toughest-ever sanctions against Tehran.