Iranian workers face soaring unemployment and inflation as war and sanctions cripple economy

The conflict sparked by the United States and Israel more than half a year ago has devastated Iran’s economy, driving up prices for gas, food and rent while official unemployment sits at 9% but independent analysts claim it is far higher. Job-search site Jobvision reported a 50% rise in resume uploads in late April, and Iran’s Workers House head Alireza Mahjoob publicly acknowledged the worsening joblessness. Engineers such as Rasoul, who lost his tech-company position after internet shutdowns, tried night driving for Snapp but faced soaring fuel costs and dangerous airstrikes, eventually relying on relatives.

Materials engineer Kayvan saw his China-backed oil-sector supply business collapse when the Strait of Hormuz was sealed off, leaving his family dependent on his wife’s earnings. A brief respite came when Rasoul secured a sales-manager role in July, yet ongoing conflict leaves many feeling like “passengers on a train” uncertain of the future.