Iran is facing widespread job losses as the war with the United States and Israel ripples across its economy. Beyond factories damaged by air strikes, layoffs have spread to manufacturers, retailers, import and export firms, and the digital sector. Social media users describe emptier streets, lighter traffic, and quieter public transport as signs of a broader economic slowdown.

Air strikes in late March and early April hit major petrochemical and steel plants, directly costing tens of thousands of jobs and threatening hundreds of thousands more in related industries. The car manufacturing sector, which supports around one million jobs directly or indirectly, has reported layoffs across its supply chain. Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has further forced factories to halt operations and dismiss workers.

An extended internet blackout imposed for security reasons has compounded the damage, with officials previously estimating daily losses of at least 50 trillion rials. Over 52 days, this has amounted to more than 1.8 billion dollars in economic costs. The shutdown has particularly affected women who rely on online platforms for income, while even media organizations have cut staff amid declining revenues and economic strain.