Tehran, Iran – Iranians are dealing with the fallout of the US-Israeli war on their country for the fourth week while being squeezed by a dwindling economy and the longest internet shutdown the country has ever experienced.Most of the country is closed down this week for Nowruz holidays to celebrate the Persian New Year.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listBut Iran has had numerous unexpected shutdowns this year, including those due to the 12-day war with Israel and the US in June, and the bloody nationwide protests in January, as well as air pollution rooted in an energy crisis.For many business owners, significantly reduced market activity over the past year, and specifically in the lead-up to Nowruz, has meant significantly slashed income.“There was some action in those last few days, but our sales were probably about one-third of usual levels around this time, which is supposed to be the time of the year when we get the most business,” said a vendor selling textiles and related commodities in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar.“Nobody is sure what comes next when we open back up after the holidays. Things have only gotten worse over the past few years,” he told Al Jazeera, asking to remain anonymous due to security concerns. Women examine headscarves for sale in northern Tehran, Iran, March 24, 2026 [Vahid Salemi/AP Photo]Iranians’ purchasing power has been steadily falling for years, and well-paying jobs have become scarce due to a dest …
