Iranians complain, prepare for infrastructure…

Ordinary Iranians have responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges unless the Strait of Hormuz opens.

On Sunday, Trump said in an expletive-laden social media post that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all rolled into one in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”

Iranian officials mocked his 8pm ET (01am BST Wednesday) deadline, with one presidential aide saying his “insults and nonsense” were out of “pure desperation and anger”.

The BBC managed to speak to several Iranians – all of whom are against the current institution – although it is very difficult to contact people inside Iran due to the internet blackout imposed by the authorities more than five weeks ago.

Their names have been changed for their safety.

Kasra, who is in her 20s and lives in Tehran, said: “It seems as if we are sinking deeper and deeper into a swamp. What can we do as ordinary people? We can’t do anything. We can’t stop it.” [Trump]. I keep thinking of a scenario where, in a month, I will find myself and my family without water, without electricity, without anything. And someone blows out the candle and we go to sleep.”

While Iranian state TV showed videos of well-stocked grocery stores, the BBC heard that some people are stockpiling and are worried that water supplies may also be cut off.

“My mother is filling every bottle she can find in the house with water,” said Mina, also in her 20s and originally from Tehran.

“I have no idea what we will do now. I think more and more people in Iran have realized that Trump doesn’t care about them at all. I hate him from the bottom of my heart, and I also hate those who support him.”

In January, as deadly anti-establishment demonstrations swept the country, Trump said “help is on the way” for protesters. But he did not intervene when Iranian security forces launched an unprecedented crackdown, killing at least 6,508 protesters and arresting 53,000 others, according to the US news agency Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana).

Some of those the BBC spoke to initially saw the Israeli-American attacks as the help they had been promised. But most of them now see attacks on energy infrastructure as a red line.

“I have thanked Israel and the United States for almost everything they have hit so far,” said Arman, a 20-year-old from Karaj, west of Tehran. Iranian media reported that 13 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in the shelling of a bridge under construction in Karaj on Thursday.

“They must have had good reasons for doing so [sites which have been hit]. But I swear, hitting a power plant just paralyzes the country. It’s just playing into the hands of the Islamic Republic. I live about a kilometer from the largest power plant in Karaj and if they hit it, it would be nothing but misery for me.”

Radin, also in his 20s and living in Tehran, said: “About whether they hit energy infrastructure, used an atomic bomb or leveled Iran. My honest reaction is that I agree with all of that.

“Or whatever else they have in mind. If attacking targets in the country brings down the Islamic Republic, that’s fine with me. Because if the Islamic Republic survives this war, it will remain forever.”

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Many of those the BBC spoke to are concerned about the economic impact of the war.

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Bahman, who is 20 and lives in Tehran, said: “I think Trump is afraid of what Iran will do. I’m sure Iran will strike everywhere in the region in retaliation.”

“For me, I don’t have a routine anymore and I can’t even work with the situation because I’m a construction superintending engineer and no one is building anything right now. Some smaller companies have already started laying off their employees.”

Jamshid, who is 30 and runs a restaurant in Tehran, said his business is “not the same as before.” [the war]. I’m not optimistic about the situation. I estimate that I can last a month, maybe two, tops. The rent is breaking my back. That’s 200 million tomans per month [approx. $1,270; £960; €1,100].”

This is a large amount compared to the average monthly salary, which is estimated to be between $200 and $300.

Most people the BBC spoke to still pay high prices for internet access. The primary route has been through connection sharing via those with Starlink satellite internet systems.

But using or possessing Starlink in Iran carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, and authorities have reportedly sought the satellite dishes to stop people from connecting.

Internet access sells on the Telegram messaging app for about $6 for 1GB of data.

“I feel like I’m going crazy. I haven’t even renewed my internet package that I’m paying so much for,” said Marjan, 20, from Tehran.

“What would be the point of Trump hitting energy infrastructure? I’m distressed. Even my parents… fight over the smallest things now. I keep telling myself I’m fine, but I’ve already had three mental breakdowns today.” [BBC]

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