Iran's shelves are full, but wallets are empty. As war drives prices up, Tehran residents say food is slipping out of reach.

Lead

Living conditions for ordinary Iranians are deteriorating as war and sanctions compound years of economic strain, according to reports from Deutsche Welle and The Guardian — World. Officials have introduced higher wages and food vouchers to shield low-income households, but many citizens say these measures are failing to keep pace with rapidly rising prices.

Coverage Comparison

Deutsche Welle's reporting focuses on the personal experiences of Tehran residents, describing an economy where shelves remain stocked but prices climb faster than salaries. The Guardian — World highlights the public anger revealed after the partial lifting of internet restrictions, citing annual price increases of 308% for vegetable oil, 190% for chicken, and 170% for rice.

Both outlets attribute the economic crisis to the ongoing war with the US and Israel, as well as sanctions, but The Guardian adds details about President Masoud Pezeshkian's direct blame of the US and the government's new "resistance economy committee." Deutsche Welle emphasizes the gap between government measures and lived reality, quoting a resident who noted that chicken prices more than doubled after the food voucher policy was introduced.

Key Claims

The monthly minimum wage in Iran was raised by 60% in March, equivalent to 166 million rials, Deutsche Welle reported. The outlet also noted that a monthly cost of securing minimum calories for one person has exceeded 7 million tomans, and that prices for ordinary goods are often listed in tomans rather than the official rial.

According to The Guardian — World, Iranian authorities lifted internet restrictions on Tuesday, restoring connectivity severed on the first day of the US-Israeli conflict on 28 February. The partial restoration revealed widespread anger, with one social media user writing, "Everything is so expensive. It has become a disaster."

President Pezeshkian blamed the US for Iran's economic woes, saying Washington "had moved to economic warfare after failing to bring the government down," as reported by The Guardian. The same outlet reported the government's launch of a "resistance economy committee" to address price gouging and shortages, citing IMF data showing food inflation between 140% and 200% and overall inflation at 70%.

Deutsche Welle's report described the war's ripple effects: disruptions in oil, gas, and fertilizer supplies raise costs for fuel, transport, and imports, which then spread across the economy. One Tehran resident told DW that rice prices rose 9% within two weeks, and ice cream saw similar hikes. Some households, if they have savings, buy food and hygiene products in bulk to store before prices rise again.

Perspectives

Government officials: According to both outlets, officials introduced a 60% wage increase and a food voucher scheme to ease the burden on households. The Guardian reported President Pezeshkian blaming the US for economic hardships, and the government announced a "resistance economy committee" to combat price gouging and shortages.

Iranian citizens: Residents cited by Deutsche Welle said the support measures have not kept pace with prices, noting that chicken prices more than doubled and milk rose nearly 50% after the voucher program began. A Tehran resident described weekly price climbs, while a social media user in The Guardian's report wrote, "You leave the market with a broken heart after spending all your savings. It is unbearable."