Iranian woman says pre-ceasefire hopes for change were already lost

Tehran Resident’s Life Disrupted by Ongoing Conflict

Sina*, a 28-year-old video editing assistant, has been affected by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Following mandatory military service, Sina* relocated to Tehran and secured employment at a video content creation studio, where he progressed from camera assistant to assistant video editor within six months. However, his job was terminated due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Since the ceasefire announcement, Sina* has been searching for new employment opportunities. Despite submitting multiple resumes, only one company contacted him for an interview, offering a salary that would not meet his basic needs. His family, who reside in Neyshabur, eastern Iran, have urged him to return home, citing available job opportunities.

Sina*’s life was disrupted by the conflict. On the morning of the war’s start, he and colleagues were briefed on the situation while enjoying tea and fresh croissants. As the fighting escalated, they left their office building and began walking through the city, eventually reaching Sina*’s grandmother’s residence. The initial chaos subsided, but the lack of internet access and limited availability of essential goods have caused significant inconvenience.

As the days passed, Sina* experienced increased anxiety due to his unemployment status and the scarcity of cigarettes. He attempted to purchase virtual private networks (VPNs) to access blocked websites, but was unsuccessful. On March 5, a mild explosion jolted him awake, followed by a more intense blast that shook his home.

Sina*’s situation is not unique, as many residents in Tehran have been affected by the conflict. The ongoing disruption of daily life and limited job opportunities have taken a toll on Sina* and others like him.

Source: Al Jazeera