A Sudden Ceasefire After 12 Days of War
Iran war aftermath leaves citizens reeling from bombings and fearing their government’s next move after 12-day conflict.
Former President Donald Trump declared a truce between Israel and Iran mediated by the United States on June 25. Many Iranians are preparing for a different type of storm, one that includes crackdowns, executions, and more restrictions, even if the bombs have stopped raining.
Executions Spike Amid Tensions
Since the strikes began on June 13, Iran has executed six people accused of spying for Israel, including three in a single day. Human rights organizations now warn that hundreds—or even thousands—of political prisoners may face execution in the coming weeks.
“After the ceasefire… the Islamic Republic needs more repression to cover up military failures,” said Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam of Iran Human Rights Organization.
Voices from Tehran: Fear and Resignation
Citizens in Tehran and Qazvin told AP they fear the Iranian regime may now take out its frustrations on the public.
“They’ll take out their anger on us,” said Shirin, a 49-year-old from northern Tehran.
“After every crisis, the regime punishes its people,” added Nooshin, a 44-year-old housewife.
These voices reflect a broader fear: that the government’s retaliation and the shadow of war could crush the reformists’ momentum for change.
Information Blackout and Internet Censorship
The Iranian public remains largely in the dark.Due to sporadic internet access and strictly regulated governmental broadcasts, millions of people are unaware of the true situation.
In an effort to foster solidarity and stifle criticism, state media have promoted a nationalist narrative by reciting poems and slogans from the Iran-Iraq conflict of the 1980s.
Some Hope for Reform Still Remains
Not all Iranians are hopeless. Mahshid, a 45-year-old woman in Qazvin, said she believes the government’s recent leniency on the hijab may continue.
Another academic noted that because the regime is weakened, it may not have the strength to crack down as harshly on social freedoms like women’s dress codes and access to apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.
“Because of Israel’s attacks, they’ve been weakened,” he said, speculating that some internet restrictions may soon ease.
Life After War: Same Old Problems, New Anxiety
The conflict exacerbated existing infrastructure problems. A strike near Tehran’s upscale Maidan-e Tajrish cut off water to surrounding neighborhoods, while power outages remain a daily nuisance due to years of mismanagement.
“We lose electricity for two hours most days—same as before the war,” said one resident.
Nationalism vs. Reform
Despite government supporters claiming victory, many Iranians disagree. They fear the regime is aligning itself with nationalist elements without genuinely addressing calls for reform.
“Most people didn’t want this war,” one citizen said bluntly.
With executions rising and social reforms on the edge, the Iranian public is left in limbo—wondering if their calls for change will ever be heard, or drowned out in another wave of state repression.
Source: AP News
