Iranians Stockpile Food and Avoid Travel Amid War Fears

Iranian citizens are preparing for potential renewed conflict, driven by growing concerns over escalating tensions and possible strikes by the United States and Israel. Residents in Tehran have described a pervasive sense of dread and are taking precautionary measures, including stocking up on food, withdrawing cash, and avoiding non-essential travel. Some individuals are even feigning illness to stay home from work.

Fear of renewed hostilities has disrupted daily life, with parents debating whether to send children to school and business travelers canceling trips due to concerns about airport closures and unsafe roads. People are flocking to gas stations to fill their vehicles and hoarding basic food supplies. Social media influencers are advising followers to maintain a low profile and refrain from unnecessary journeys.

One Tehran businessman, Majid, 42, told The New York Times that he told his wife not to wake their son and to keep him home, with decisions made daily. His wife, who works at a government office that could be a target, planned to report sick. Many Iranians interviewed requested anonymity for fear of reprisal from the regime.

Shadi, a teacher in Tehran, stated she would continue to go to work unless schools were closed, focusing on how to protect her students and prevent them from being frightened by potential explosions during class. For some, like 38-year-old musician Hanam, the preparations have become routine after experiencing previous rounds of conflict, though he expressed greater concern about the economic situation and finding ways to earn money.

These civilian preparations coincide with heightened political rhetoric. U.S. President Donald Trump has considered strikes on Iran and reiterated that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons. U.S. officials have indicated that specific plans for renewed strikes have been formulated by the U.S. and Israel, though Trump has previously vetoed such actions. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for joint efforts with the U.S. to overthrow the Iranian regime, raising fears in Iran of potential Israeli military action before U.S. elections.

Despite official pronouncements of readiness to respond forcefully to any attack, some Iranian politicians and commentators urge caution to avoid further suffering and instability. Javad Emam of the Reform Party stressed that the nation would pay the price of war. Ali-Reza, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, expressed anger at the government's lack of transparency and failure to find a peaceful solution, lamenting the death and destruction war brings and the immense pressure on citizens under economic sanctions.

Iran has experienced two intense periods of conflict since June 2025, with the Red Crescent Society reporting at least 1,900 civilian deaths in 40 days of bombing this year alone. The economic damage is estimated at $300 billion, with the currency plummeting against the dollar and prices for basic food items soaring over 200% due to sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade.