A City on Edge: Tehran Between War and Ceasefire

Conflicting news about the continuation of the ceasefire and the possible resumption of war from Wednesday onwards is tearing apart the minds and hearts of city dwellers in Tehran and across the country.

Observers report that much of the Iranian media appears to be shifting back into war mode, preparing public opinion for a renewed escalation.

Reports also suggest that vessels, including an Indian one, were targeted by IRGC naval forces before the end of Saturday.

It is time to change the filters of my water treatment apparatus in the kitchen. Hasan, 44, the technician, arrives as scheduled. The last time he replaced the filters was in October 2025. Back then, I found him politically engaged and strongly opposed to the Islamic Republic.

“I was in the protests while working in people’s homes. I can say I support war against the Islamic Republic.”

“But you see the destruction, the collateral damage, more than 3,000 dead and thousands injured,” I say.

“I read that in Israel, one thousand homes are no longer habitable and must be rebuilt from scratch. The damage to residential areas near weapons depots is unfortunate, and so are the casualties, but in some cases, it is inevitable. In my area, near Moniriyeh Square and Qaffari Street, not far from Khamenei’s office, a seemingly abandoned three-storey building was hit. Later, it turned out to be a weapons depot, with tunnels beneath neighbouring buildings filled with ammunition.”

While replacing the resin filters, he adds:

“I am single and earn around fifty million toman a month, about £250. I cannot afford even a small flat, nor can I rent a decent place to start a family.”

“Do you think your situation would improve if the regime changed?”

“I do not expect that. I am a technician and will remain one. But I want normal relations with the world. I don't even think about marriage anymore. It is too late for that. I just want a normal life.”

“Do you want the second round of negotiations in Islamabad to take place?”

“I want this regime gone, with or without negotiations, even through war. I do not care how. I believe that those within the system who seek compromise may themselves become targets because the IRGC sees the continuation of war as a guarantee of its survival.”

On Sunday morning, I set out to find those who are reportedly paid to participate in nightly gatherings in squares and neighbourhoods.

Walking through parks in Shahrak-e Gharb, a middle- and upper-class area, I eventually speak to a cleaner named Ali, whose family is from Birjand, near the Afghan border.

He tells me:

“A few days ago, someone approached me. I had seen him before at a mosque near Imam Sadegh University during Iftar. He offered me one million toman per night to join the gatherings. If I could bring a car and take my four children, I would be paid more. But I refused. I do not have a car, and I can't travel with my family to Enghelab Square or elsewhere. Here, in Sanat Square nearby, no one gathers to wave flags or chant slogans.”

“You are a practicing Muslim. Why not join them?”

“My faith has nothing to do with their politics. I earn my living cleaning buildings. I do not have time for rallies. They should offer this money to unemployed young people. I am sure they do.”

He laughs and adds:

“No one catches a rat for God’s sake.”

On Monday, conflicting reports about an Iranian delegation heading to Islamabad leave my neighborhood in uncertainty, suspended between preparing for another round of war and returning to daily life.

I walk through parts of southwest Tehran to verify claims about paid participation in pro-regime gatherings.

A rough sleeper named Hossein, who helps maintain public facilities in a park, tells me he was offered 1,000,000 toman (around five pounds) per night by a Basij member to join such gatherings and chant slogans against America. He says he declined.

On Tuesday, the scale of unemployment among young people shocks me. I met Sasan, 25, a postgraduate student at Khajeh Nasir University, in Parnian Park in southwest Tehran.

“I was working in the IT department of a small firm whose headquarters is in Dubai. Now the manager has called to say the office in Tehran is closing.”

“What do you think about the possibility of renewed war?” I ask.

“Before the war, I saw a therapist every week. Now I can't afford it.”

While we speak, his cousin calls with further bad news: he has lost his job as a chief engineer in Naftshahr near the Iraqi border. Oil extraction has stopped.

As I continue to ask around, the growing number of unemployed young people among friends, neighbors, and relatives is alarming.

The final news I received is this:

Google, GitHub, and other platforms that had briefly become accessible are blocked again, by decision of the Supreme National Security Council.

The threat of renewed war, rising unemployment, and daily reports of executions continue to weigh heavily on people’s minds.