Iranian families struggle to afford the basics as US ratchets up economic warfare

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Tehran's grocery stores are well-stocked, but plenty of families can barely afford the basics.

What happened

"We have virtually given up on many things, " remarked Ahmad Karimi, 52, a taxi driver and father of two who has been working 15-hour days to produce ends meet. "We're cutting out fruit, we're cutting out protein, we've given up leisure, we even work on weekends."

Almost six months into the war with the United States and Israel, the Iranian economy is taking a beating under the force of sanctions and a naval blockade that is making it extremely challenging for the country to export oil, its most valuable product.

Whether this intensifying economic pressure will translate anytime shortly into military or political concessions from Iran remains to be seen – but some experts are skeptical. Since the war began, Iran has been attacking oil-rich neighbors and U.S. Bases in the region, and disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, its biggest strategic advantage.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around iranian families struggle to afford the basics as US ratchets up economic point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.