Iranians buy essentials as supply pressures deepen
Shops in Tehran remain stocked with basic goods, but rising prices, local medicine shortages and export delays are fuelling concern about further disruption.
Iranians are buying food and medicine in advance amid fears that a US naval blockade, sanctions and possible renewed fighting will worsen shortages. Al Jazeera reports that shops in Tehran still have basic goods, though prices are rising and some shoppers are stocking up.
A grocer told Al Jazeera that he buys in bulk ahead of expected price increases as the rial weakens. He sometimes limits cooking oil sales to one bottle per customer to spread supplies among shoppers.
Some pharmacies visited in southern Tehran had run out of infant formula and other medicines. Pharmacy staff said more customers were seeking particular medicines ahead of possible shortages. The report does not establish how widespread or long-lasting these gaps are.
Farmers also described difficulty exporting produce. An apple grower said he had sold only a third of this year’s harvest, all within Iran, while delays at border crossings have left fruit at risk of spoiling.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the US blockade at the United Nations General Assembly, saying it would prevent food and medicine from reaching people. Al Jazeera also reports that US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposed seven-day truce on Saturday; the supplied material does not independently corroborate that account.
