Iranians stagger under soaring costs of seven months of war

AI Summary

Seven months of war and a U.S. blockade on Iranian oil exports are worsening economic hardship for ordinary Iranians, with rising costs affecting rent, cigarettes, and medicines. Residents interviewed describe being forced to leave Tehran or cut back on basic necessities.

By John Davison and Emily Giles LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Iran's leaders may radiate bullishness in their war with the United States, but life is becoming ever tougher for ordinary citizens unable to afford basic necessities or rent as a US blockade cuts the state's financial lifeline - oil exports. From an engineer forced out of Tehran by high rent to a woman forced to stop smoking because of the price of cigarettes and carers struggling to buy medicines, all areas of daily life are affected.