{
  "id": 13638475,
  "title": "Iran’s shopkeepers struggle as war dims demand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/irans-shopkeepers-struggle-as-war-dims-demand-13638475",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-11T03:01:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/11/iran-s-shopkeepers-struggle-as-war-dims-demand"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The war between the United States and Iran has dealt a severe blow to Iran's economy, particularly affecting its shopkeepers and businesses. Iran's GDP contracted by 10.1% year-on-year between late March and late June, as mounting pressure over the war led to a significant slowdown in economic activity. The conflict, which began in February with US-Israeli attacks and an American blockade of Iran's ports, has intensified the economic challenges faced by the Iranian populace.\n\nIn Tehran's bazaars, once bustling centers of commerce, the once vibrant atmosphere now reveals a stark contrast. Shopkeeper Nasir, a 61-year-old fruit and nut seller, recounts how soaring prices have driven down his customers' purchases from two to five kilograms to just one kilogram or even half a kilogram. The prices have become so exorbitant that it would be dishonest to deny the truth. Nasir appeals to authorities to stabilize the currency to allow businesses to plan for a more stable future.\n\nThe Iranian rial has lost significant value against the US dollar, with the unofficial market rate reaching around 2.7 million to the dollar in recent weeks, compared to approximately 1.7 million prior to the war. The minimum monthly wage, which stood at around $120 a year ago, has plummeted to $65, exacerbating the financial struggles faced by many Iranians. Car mechanic Mojtaba Rezaei observes a drastic reduction in his customer base, with only a tenth of his usual clientele visiting his shop, as goods have become prohibitively expensive, costing two or three times more than before.\n\nThe economic turmoil has permeated every aspect of daily life, as people grapple with the inability to afford basic necessities. Azadeh, a 45-year-old woman currently unemployed, laments the inflationary impact, noting that a kitchen cloth that once cost 22 cents now sells for $1.10, five times its original price. She reflects on the broader implications, stating, \"We aren't meant to just exist, we're meant to actually live, right?\" The war and its aftermath have cast a shadow over Iran, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.",
  "summary": "Rising inflation and volatile exchange rates have driven up the cost of everyday items, with food prices more than doubling since last year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran’s shopkeepers struggle as war dims demand",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/irans-shopkeepers-struggle-as-war-dims-demand",
        "published": "2026-10-11T03:01:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}