When War Becomes an Excuse: How Economic Pressure Is Being Shifted Onto Ordinary People

 

By Reza Hoseani

Iran’s economic crisis is no longer just a headline — it has become part of everyday life. Skyrocketing prices, the continuous collapse of the national currency, and shrinking household purchasing power are now affecting nearly every segment of society.

But an important question remains: Are these hardships truly the direct result of war and external pressure, or are they rooted in domestic economic policies and political decisions?

While state media repeatedly blame regional tensions and foreign conflicts for inflation and market instability, many economists argue that the current crisis is driven far more by internal policymaking than by war itself.

 

War as a Cover for Internal Economic Failure

For years, whenever Iran’s economy entered a deeper phase of crisis, official narratives pointed to external enemies and international tensions. However, economic experts say the immediate impact of war rarely causes inflation on this scale in such a short period.

Iranian economist Hossein Raghfar recently stated:

“The effects of war do not appear in inflation this quickly… the war itself has only played a small role in the recent rise in inflation.”

According to him, much of the current inflation stems not from destroyed infrastructure or shortages of goods, but from the political atmosphere surrounding the conflict and the economic decisions made afterward.

This perspective suggests that the climate of war has become less a cause of economic collapse and more a justification for policies that place additional pressure on ordinary citizens.

 

Economic Shock Therapy: A Crisis Paid for by the Public

One term increasingly used to describe Iran’s economy is “shock therapy” — a strategy involving sudden price hikes, subsidy reductions, and harsh economic measures implemented during periods of public instability.

Following the recent military tensions, instead of introducing recovery plans or public support programs, authorities moved toward another wave of price increases, including fuel, energy, and foreign currency rates.

Hossein Raghfar described the situation this way:

“The current inflation is mainly the result of public policies and some of the most unfair methods of dealing with society.”

According to him, these policies have not solved the crisis; instead, they have intensified social frustration and widened economic inequality.

Why Are These Policies Implemented During Crises?

Economists argue that governments often introduce unpopular economic measures when society is distracted by security concerns, war, or political instability.

Raghfar explains:

“These policies are implemented when society is in shock from war or social crises and public attention is focused elsewhere.”

In simpler terms, moments of national anxiety make it easier to impose economic burdens that would normally trigger stronger public resistance.

 

The Collapse of the Rial: A Crisis Beyond Sanctions

One of the clearest signs of Iran’s economic turmoil is the dramatic collapse of the national currency. In recent years, repeated surges in the dollar exchange rate have directly translated into higher prices for goods and services.

Raghfar believes the government itself plays a central role in controlling and influencing the currency market.

He stated:

“No previous administration has imposed an exchange-rate shock on the country at the scale seen under the current government.”

According to him, the dollar rate, which stood at around 48,000 tomans at the beginning of the administration, has now approached 190,000 tomans — a rise that has severely damaged public purchasing power within a short period.

 

When Salaries No Longer Cover Basic Living Costs

The collapse of the rial has hit the middle class, workers, retirees, and salaried employees the hardest. Even households with stable employment increasingly struggle to cover essential expenses.

As inflation continues to outpace wages, poverty deepens and more skilled professionals choose to leave the country in search of economic security elsewhere.

 

The Social Consequences of Economic Decline

Iran’s economic crisis is no longer merely a financial issue; it has evolved into a broader social and psychological challenge.

Rising anxiety, hopelessness, declining mental health, brain drain, and increasing social harm are all part of the long-term consequences of economic instability.

Raghfar warned:

“The collapse of the national currency has led to social damage, including depression, suicide, prostitution, and large-scale migration.”

These remarks reflect growing concerns that the economic crisis is gradually eroding the country’s social fabric.

 

Are People Beginning to Recognize the Root Causes?

In recent years, economic protests have repeatedly emerged across Iran. Many citizens no longer view sanctions or foreign conflict as the sole causes of their hardship. Instead, growing numbers point toward domestic economic policies and structural mismanagement.

When inflation, currency collapse, and declining living standards become permanent features of daily life, public trust inevitably weakens.

More people are now asking why the cost of every crisis is ultimately paid by ordinary citizens.

 

Conclusion

Iran is facing one of the most difficult economic periods in its modern history. Inflation, currency devaluation, and rising living costs are no longer temporary problems — they have become part of everyday reality.

Although war and regional tensions may contribute to economic instability, many analysts believe the deeper causes lie in internal policies, economic shock measures, and long-term structural mismanagement.

In such conditions, society increasingly demands transparency, accountability, and policies that genuinely improve living conditions instead of placing heavier burdens on the public.

 

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Reza Hoseani is writer, analyst, expert on Iranian affairs, a human rights activist, and a defender of the rights of women, children, and political prisoners.

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