'We're sinking deeper': Iranians brace for infrastructure strikes as Trump deadline nears

April 6, 2026

US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges by a Tuesday deadline unless Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, prompting widespread fear and anxiety among ordinary Iranian citizens. The BBC interviewed several Iranians who oppose their government but are deeply worried about the humanitarian consequences of infrastructure attacks, particularly the loss of electricity and water supplies. Many citizens are stockpiling resources and paying high prices for internet access during a government-imposed blackout that has lasted over five weeks.

Who is affected

Ordinary Iranian civilians, particularly those in Tehran and surrounding areas like Karaj; business owners including restaurant operators; building construction workers and engineers; families stockpiling water and supplies; protesters who participated in anti-establishment demonstrations; people living near power stations and infrastructure targets; and small company employees facing layoffs.

What action is being taken

Iranian authorities are imposing an internet blackout that has lasted more than five weeks; state TV is showing videos of well-stocked grocery shops; authorities are searching for and confiscating Starlink satellite dishes; people are stockpiling water and supplies; families are filling bottles with water; some smaller companies are laying off employees; and internet access is being sold on Telegram for approximately $6 per gigabyte.

Why it matters

This situation illustrates how geopolitical threats and military actions directly impact ordinary civilians who may oppose their own government but face severe humanitarian consequences from infrastructure attacks. The threatened destruction of power plants and bridges would deprive millions of people of essential services like electricity and water, potentially causing widespread suffering while strengthening rather than weakening the regime's control. It also demonstrates the complex reality that many Iranians who initially supported external intervention now view attacks on civilian infrastructure as harmful to their interests, revealing a disconnect between stated goals of supporting Iranian people and actions that would primarily harm them.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC