The Iranians They were reacting to the threat from the American president donald trump about what will destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges unless the country reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in a profanity-laden social media post on Sunday that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all together, in Iran.”
Trump reiterated this Monday his threatsensuring that Iran will return to “stone age” and will be left without power plants or bridges if there is no agreement before this Tuesday night (early morning on Wednesday in Iran). He claimed that “the entire country could be wiped out in one night.”
“All the bridges in Iran will have been destroyed by 12 midnight tomorrow,” he said.
Iranian officials scoffed at the U.S. president’s deadline, and a presidential aide said his “insults and nonsense” were the result of “pure desperation and anger.”
The BBC managed to speak to several Iranians – all opponents of the current government – despite the fact that it is very difficult to contact people inside Iran due to the internet blackout imposed by the authorities more than five weeks ago.
Their names were changed for their own safety.
Kasrawho is in his twenties and lives in Tehransaid: “I feel like we are sinking deeper into a swamp. What can we do as common people? We can’t do anything. We can’t stop him (Trump). I keep thinking about a scenario where, a month from now, I’m sitting with my family with no water, no electricity, no nothing. And someone blows out the candle and we go to sleep.”
While Iranian state television has been showing videos of well-stocked grocery stores, the BBC has heard that some people are hoarding supplies and fear water supplies could also be affected.
“My mother is filling all the bottles she finds in the house with water,” said Mina, also in her 20s and from Tehran.
“I have no idea what we’re going to do now. I think more and more people in Iran realized that Trump doesn’t care about them at all. I hate him with all my heart, and I also hate those who support him.”
In January, as anti-government protests spread across the country, Trump told protesters: “Help is on the way.”
But it did not intervene when Iranian security forces launched an unprecedented crackdown, leaving at least 6,508 protesters dead and another 53,000 arrested, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Some of the Iranians the BBC spoke to They initially saw the US and Israeli attacks as the help they had been promised. But most now view attacks on energy infrastructure as a red line.
“I thanked Israel and the United States for almost everything they hit so far,” he said. Armana young man in his twenties from Karaj, west of Tehran.
Iranian media reported that 13 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in a bombing of a bridge under construction in Karaj on Thursday.
“They must have had good reasons for these (places they attacked). But I swear: hitting a power plant simply paralyzes the country. It only gives the Islamic Republic an advantage. I live one kilometer from the biggest power plant in Karaj, and if they attack it, there will be nothing but misery for me,” Arman added.
Radin, also in his mid-20s and living in Tehran, said: “If attacking targets in the country brings down the Islamic Republic, I agree. Because if the Islamic Republic survives this war, it will stay forever.”
Many of the Iranians the BBC spoke to are concerned about the economic impact of the war.
Bahmanwho is in his 20s and lives in Tehran, said: “I think Trump is afraid of what Iran is going to do. I am sure that Iran will attack the entire region in retaliation.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I no longer have a routine, and I can’t even go to work with this situation, because I’m a construction supervising engineer and right now no one is building anything. Some small companies have already started laying off their employees,” he said.
For its part, Jamshidwho is in his thirties and runs a restaurant in Tehran, said that His business “is no longer the same as before (the war). I am not optimistic about the situation. I figure I can last a month, maybe two at most. The rent is destroying me. “It is 200 million tumbas per month (US$1,270).”
This figure is high compared to the average monthly salary, which is estimated between US$200 and US$300.
Most people the BBC spoke to are still paying high prices to access the internet. The main way to do this has been satellite internet. starlink.
But Using or having Starlink in Iran carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, and authorities have reportedly been searching for the antennas to prevent people from connecting.
Internet access is being sold on the Telegram messaging app for about $6 per 1GB of data.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind. I didn’t even renew my internet package, which I’m paying so much for,” he said. Marjanin his twenties and from Tehran.
And she reflected: “What’s the point if Trump attacks the energy infrastructure? I’m distraught. My parents too… they argue about anything now. I keep telling myself that I’m fine, but I already had three nervous breakdowns today.”.
By Ghoncheh Habibiazad
