The escalating conflict between the US and Iran has brought a new level of fear and uncertainty to the lives of Iranians, with airstrikes, repression, and water shortages becoming the 'new normal'. This article delves into the personal experiences of Iranians living in Bandar Abbas, Jask, and Sirik, and explores the broader implications of the war on the country's infrastructure and human rights situation.
The 'New Normal' in Bandar Abbas
Soroush, a 37-year-old writer in Bandar Abbas, describes a grim reality for the city's residents. With airstrikes hitting the port and inland cities every night, the fear of the future has given way to a sense of acceptance. "We need to accept this could just be our new reality now and it’s worked because we are less afraid as each day goes on," he says. The city's residents are now forced to make peace with the bombs and the regime's bullets, with no one coming to save them.
The Impact on Daily Life
Mehnaz, a 39-year-old woman who depends on the internet for her work, is struggling with the government-imposed internet shutdown and extended power cuts. "We always had power cuts, but the hours have now extended and I fear I can’t rely on my online work any more," she says. The war is far from over, and daily life is becoming harder under the bombs, power cuts, and internet shutdowns.
Water Shortages and Panic
In Jask, a port city reportedly struck by the US, residents are in panic and scrambling to prepare for a long-running war. Moein, a resident of Jask, says that although the water supply has been restored, residents are still making sure to prepare for future attacks and save as much water as they can. A strike in June on water facilities in the coastal city of Sirik also left thousands of residents rationing water and struggling with daily chores.
The Human Rights Crisis
The dire human rights situation in Iran is highlighted by the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights, which reports at least 400 people executed since the beginning of this year, including teenagers, foreign nationals, protesters, and former political prisoners. Hundreds more are believed to be facing capital punishment.
The Broader Implications
Nik Kowsar, a US-based Iranian journalist and water issues analyst, says the war is having a severe impact on civilians. "Iranians can despise the regime and want the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] dismantled while still being horrified by attacks that leave ordinary families without water, electricity, medicine, or income," he says. Attacking desalination plants in Iran's hot and dry south is particularly dangerous, as losing access to drinking water can quickly become a matter of life and death.
The Way Forward
The conflict between the US and Iran is far from over, and the 'new normal' of airstrikes, repression, and water shortages is likely to continue. As the war escalates, the impact on the lives of Iranians will only grow, with the country's infrastructure and human rights situation suffering further.
