A glimpse into life in Tehran after more than 40 days of war:
(Published on an Iranian Telegram channel)
Tehran has filled with Toyota Hilux vehicles armed with machine guns. The city’s appearance has become very similar to the period of ISIS rule in Raqqa and Mosul. Special units are deployed in parks, schools, and mosques. Checkpoints have multiplied, though with less manpower.
At most major intersections, suppression forces have been stationed. Under bridges along all highways, checkpoints have been set up with flags of the Islamic Republic, Zainabiyoun, Fatemiyoun, and Hashd al-Shaabi, deliberately creating traffic jams and harassing civilians.
Tehran has effectively become a military camp of foreign militias subordinate to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Congratulations to the dishonorable commanders of the army.
Private companies are operating at full capacity, but government offices—supposed to function with 50% of staff—barely reach even 30%. Even those who do come in leave midday. In other words, if you arrive at offices later in the day, almost no one is there. Phone response is nearly nonexistent. The public transportation system is also operating at less than half of its pre-war capacity.
Most city buses are being used by special units and the Basij for rest and changing clothes.
In practice, there is no real government. Everything is under the control of the Revolutionary Guards and security bodies. The government has effectively become a ceremonial entity that advances the economic, social, and military goals of the Revolutionary Guards. Government institutions have turned into semi-independent “colonies,” with no connection between them or with higher authorities.
Educational systems like “Shad” are not functioning, and in practice, schooling in schools has been halted. Universities have also moved to online learning—but with what internet and infrastructure? Nothing.
Government, service, and banking systems operate intermittently. ATMs are mostly out of cash, and it is almost impossible to obtain physical money.
Tehran is no longer the Tehran it once was. The movement, energy, and bustle have been replaced by waves of suppression forces and armored armed vehicles. Nothing here is normal. Do not believe the staged and fake images coming from parks and cafes. These days, if security conditions and means allowed, it would be possible to create a documentary about Tehran’s situation and call it: “Tehran – City of the Walking Dead.”
But people still hope. The failure of the talks in Islamabad was good news for them, because there is still hope that the fate of this violent regime will be decided. The truth is, the public fears a renewal of the war—but fears even more a renewed recovery of the Islamic Republic
