Navigating Tehran has become a major challenge for residents and drivers due to ongoing disruptions to satellite navigation services, which began after the recent conflict between Iran and Israel. Many Iranians, including ride-hailing drivers, report severe difficulties in finding their way around the city, with mapping apps frequently showing incorrect locations and causing confusion. The Iranian government has stated that these disruptions are for security and military reasons, but the measures have led to significant economic consequences, impacting businesses reliant on location-based services and heightening public frustration.
The disruption has also affected emergency services and delivery platforms, with some mapping apps seeing a notable drop in user activity. Officials have suggested that Iran may shift to alternative satellite systems, such as China's BeiDou, but experts warn that such a transition would require substantial investment and infrastructure changes. As uncertainty persists, many Iranians fear further instability and struggle to plan for the future amid ongoing tensions and economic challenges.