Tehran Residents Stockpile Supplies and Flee Amid Renewed Strike Fears
Tehran residents are stockpiling supplies and fleeing the capital amid fears of renewed strikes, while soaring inflation and US maritime blockades deepen Iran's severe economic crisis.
Residents of Tehran are stockpiling food and medicine while others prepare to flee the capital amid growing fears of renewed military strikes, according to a recent report. Parisa Hajipour, a 35-year-old mother of a toddler, told reporters that she is hoarding over-the-counter medications and essential food supplies.
Hashem Vajdani, a 45-year-old fitness trainer, stated that he has decided to leave Tehran for a safer northern city. "I packed my belongings to move north. Today I bought more canned goods, crackers, and extra blankets," he said. Anxiety is mounting due to visible destruction from previous strikes by Israel and the United States, alongside escalating maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammad Abdi, 39, noted that developments in the Strait of Hormuz prompted him to purchase larger quantities of rice, cooking oil, and dates despite surging prices. Reports indicate that attacks on commercial vessels in the strait have reached their highest monthly level since the early weeks of the conflict.
In addition to military threats, Iranian citizens face a severe economic crisis driven by US maritime blockades limiting oil exports. Rice prices have jumped over 60 percent, and beef prices have soared by more than 150 percent. Mohammad Mohammadi, 36, explained that a single supermarket trip can consume half a monthly salary of roughly 150 US dollars, as high inflation erodes purchasing power.
Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani warned in a local publication that soaring currency exchange rates hinder government administration. Meanwhile, former government official Sasan Karimi assessed that economic pressure will not alter Iran's official negotiating stance toward Washington.
