A resident of Tehran on life there--and hopelessness

Following is from someone claiming to be living in Tehran.  It was posted on "Iran international."

It's hard to describe what things feel like here in Tehran.  Bad, yes, but perhaps weird and unreal are more accurate.  Everyone is wondering How did we get here?  Followed quickly by "What happens next?"

In ten months we have lived through a huge protest, a deadly crackdown and two wars. 

Trump is claiming victory, but the rulers in Tehran—whoever they are right now—claim Iran has won.  And sadly U.S. Democrat politicians are saying the same.  Regardless, people here are exhausted--completely spent, at least for now.

The economic disaster has been visible for months. Layoffs are spreading, prices rising daily.  People joke that at least the shops are full of goods, because no one can afford to buy them.

Last year I wrote that when people in Iran speak about the future they usually mean tomorrow.  Now even that time horizon has shrunk.

Belief in a better future is a coping mechanism.  But now no one sees any chance of the future being better in our lifetimes.  People don't want the Islamic regime to survive—perhaps even more harsh and unified than before--but without guns we can't resist the murderous basij and IRGC.

President Trump says Iran’s capabilities have been obliterated, and “regime change is complete." We haven't seen it even begin.  The mullahs, the IRGC and the basij thugs appear firmly in control of the streets.  Every night they stage loud displays of celebration—part rally, part carnival—proclaiming victory and implicitly daring anyone to disagree.

Even if the parties agree on peace terms, ordinary citizens of Iran aren't on the U.S. agenda.  Even Trump has said he isn't demanding regime change.

Almost no one outside Iran seems to notice how isolated we have become.  The mullahs are sealing off the country, one rule at a time.

People still go through the motions of life, but most Iranians have stopped hoping.

Source.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604215404