We’re sinking deeper’: Iranians brace for infrastructure strikes as Trump deadline nears
Iranians are reacting to US President Donald Trump’s threat to target the country’s power stations and bridges if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The threat was delivered in a fiery social media post on Sunday, where Trump declared,
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”
The announcement has sparked concern among civilians, even as Iranian officials dismissed the timeline as a sign of their leader’s frustration.
Despite the internet blackout in Iran, which has been in place for over five weeks, the BBC has managed to speak with several individuals who oppose the current government. Their identities have been concealed for safety. One young man from Tehran, Kasra, described the situation as
“It feels like we’re sinking deeper into a swamp. What can we do as ordinary people? We can’t do anything. We can’t stop him [Trump]. I keep thinking about a scenario where, in a month, I’m sitting with my family with no water, no electricity, nothing. And someone blows out the candle and we go to sleep.”
While state television showcased images of well-stocked stores, some residents are quietly stockpiling essentials. Mina, a woman in her 20s from Tehran, shared her anxiety:
“My mum is filling every bottle she can find in the house with water. I’ve no idea what we’re going to do now. I think more and more in Iran have realised that Trump doesn’t care about them at all. I hate him from the bottom of my heart, and hate those who support him too.”
Earlier this year, Trump had promised support to protesters during widespread anti-government demonstrations in January. However, he remained silent as security forces crushed the uprising, resulting in over 6,508 deaths and 53,000 arrests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Many initially hoped these strikes would aid the protesters, but now most view attacks on energy infrastructure as a critical escalation.
Arman, a 20-something from Karaj, west of Tehran, said:
“I’ve thanked Israel and the US for almost all of what they’ve hit so far. They must have had good reasons for them [sites which have been hit]. But I swear, hitting a power station just paralyses the country. It just plays into the Islamic Republic’s hands. I live about a kilometre away from the biggest power station in Karaj, and if they hit it, it’ll be nothing but misery for me.”
Radin, another young resident of Tehran, expressed a more radical stance:
“About them hitting energy infrastructure, using an atomic bomb, or levelling Iran. My honest reaction is that I’m OK with all of these. Or anything else they might have in mind. If attacking targets in the country brings down the Islamic Republic, I’m fine with that. Because if the Islamic Republic survives this war, it will stay forever.”
The economic strain is also evident. Bahman, a 20-something in Tehran, noted:
“I think Trump is scared of what Iran is going to do. I’m sure that Iran will hit everywhere in the region in retaliation. When it comes to me, I don’t have a routine anymore, and I can’t even go to work with the situation because I’m a building superintendent engineer and no-one is building anything right now. Some smaller companies have started to lay off their employees already.”
Jamshid, a 30-something owner of a restaurant in Tehran, said the war has drastically affected his business.
“I’m not optimistic about the situation. I estimate that I can hold this up for a month, maybe two, at most. The rent is breaking my back. It’s 200m tomans a month [approx. $1,270; £960; €1,100].”
This figure exceeds the average monthly salary, which ranges between $200 and $300.
Most interviewees still rely on satellite internet systems like Starlink for connectivity. However, using such services in Iran risks up to two years in prison, and authorities have intensified searches for those with access to the technology. As the deadline approaches, the sense of impending disruption grows stronger, with many fearing the collapse of essential services and the broader economic consequences.
