Iran’s war economy collapses as millions face jobless future

livelihoods wiped out overnight

For many ordinary Iranians, the war has not just been fought in the skies — it has landed squarely in their wallets. Freelancers, factory workers and service staff are seeing incomes vanish almost instantly. Asal, a Tehran-based designer, says weeks without reliable internet have cut her off from overseas clients entirely. “Everything just stopped,” she says — a story now repeated across the country.

a fragile economy pushed to breaking point

Iran was already under severe strain before the conflict, battered by sanctions, inflation and years of mismanagement. Now the الأزمة has tipped it over the edge. Income per person has sharply declined over the past decade, and soaring prices — with inflation hitting around 72% — are crushing household budgets, especially for essentials.

mass unemployment spreads across sectors

The damage is sweeping. Heavy industry, aviation, logistics, retail — few sectors have escaped. Airstrikes on industrial sites have forced factories to shut, while supply chain breakdowns and shortages have halted production elsewhere. Millions are either out of work or at risk, with unemployment claims surging sharply in just weeks.

industry hit, ripple effects deepen crisis

Strikes on petrochemical plants and steelworks have sent shockwaves through the wider economy. Manufacturers dependent on raw materials are shutting down, triggering layoffs far beyond the initial targets. Textile firms, transport companies and even food producers are scaling back or closing entirely as costs spiral and demand collapses.

internet blackouts cripple modern work

For many, especially women working remotely, the collapse of internet access has been devastating. Online teaching, freelance work and digital businesses — once a lifeline in a struggling economy — have all but ground to a halt. Unreliable domestic platforms have failed to fill the gap, leaving thousands without income.

poverty surge looming

The fallout is expected to worsen. Analysts warn millions more could be pushed into poverty as the war drags on. Informal workers and those in lower-skilled jobs are being hit hardest, with little protection and few safety nets to fall back on.

pressure builds on the state

With unemployment rising and revenues shrinking, the government faces mounting pressure. Welfare systems are straining under demand, and calls are growing for emergency economic measures — from financial aid to business support — to prevent a full-scale collapse.

uncertainty now the biggest fear

Beyond the immediate hardship, it is the unpredictability that is biting deepest. Workers across Iran describe a sense of paralysis — jobs gone, prices rising, and no clear end in sight. As one teacher put it: it’s not just the loss of income — it’s the constant uncertainty about what comes next.

SOURCE

No internet means small companies can’t do any Business via the net