Daily life continues on the 30th day of the US-Israel war on Iran, killing civilians and causing damage to buildings and vehicles, in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on 29 March 2026. [Getty]
The fourth week of the war began with US President Donald Trump threatening to target Iran’s power plants and infrastructure. He later pulled back, first delaying the move by five days and then by 10. Despite this, two major steel plants and a water facility were struck on 27 and 28 March.
Trump said he postponed a formal order to attack Iranian industries and power plants because of ongoing talks with officials in Tehran. He did not say who he was speaking to, and Iranian officials denied any negotiations with Washington. At the same time, Tehran had rejected a 15-point US proposal to end the war.
According to reports, the US offer included lifting all sanctions on Iran in exchange for a full halt to its nuclear program, ending support for armed groups in the region, and limiting its missile program.
Iranian officials rejected the proposal and presented their own five-point plan through mediators. They called for compensation from the US and Israel and demanded a full withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East.
As messages continue to pass between officials, people inside Iran describe daily life under constant airstrikes, with no clear sense of safety.
Homayoun Afzali, a taxi driver in Tehran, says fear has taken over daily life.
“Nobody really knows where it will be hit or where it’s safe. It’s worse at night when the attacks increase. Some nights we stay awake until morning, and only when it gets light can we sleep,” he described.
He says his income has dropped sharply as many residents have left the capital. “There are very few passengers now. Our business is almost shut down. I’m already using my savings, and I won’t be able to support my family for more than a week or two.”
Iran’s industry under attack
Although Trump said earlier in the week that attacks on industrial sites would be paused for 10 days, strikes began on Friday targeting some of Iran’s largest industrial centres, along with related power plants and water facilities.
On 27 March, officials said an airstrike hit the Mobarakeh Steel Plant in Isfahan Province. One person was killed, 16 were injured, and production at the plant stopped. Two power plants were also damaged in the attacks.
Mobarakeh is one of Iran’s largest steel producers. On the same day, the Khuzestan Steel Plant in the southwest was also hit, forcing it to shut down.
Strikes continued on 28 March. Iranian media reported that a drinking water source in Haftkal, about 90 kilometres from the centre of Khuzestan Province, was destroyed.
The attacks on water and power facilities have raised serious concerns, especially as Iran was already facing water shortages due to years of drought.
Zahra Moeiri, a water resources engineer in Tehran, warned of a possible humanitarian crisis.
“Rainfall has dropped sharply in recent years, and the country was already close to a nationwide drought. Now the very systems that store water are being targeted. This could lead to a national disaster,” Moeiri said.
She also criticised the widening scope of the strikes, saying, “Even war has its own rules. You cannot first hit schools and hospitals, then move on to power plants and industry, and now target water and food sources.”
Iran had earlier warned that if its industrial and energy facilities were attacked, it would strike similar targets in Arab countries in the Gulf.
By 28 March, Tehran had carried out one such attack, launching missiles and drones at a Global Aluminium site in Abu Dhabi. Local sources reported heavy damage.
Another reported target in Iran was a yellowcake facility in Yazd, in the country’s centre.
Ali Tahbaz, a resident of Yazd, said people fear possible radiation, despite official claims that there is no risk.
“Several of our neighbours packed their cars and left right away after hearing about the attack. If we had somewhere to go, we would leave too. No one really knows if there is radiation. No one is telling US the truth,” Tahbaz recalled.
“Some say take iodine tablets. Others say special clothing can protect you. We really don’t know what to do. Some say nothing works except lead shelters. The only thing I could do was buy iodine tablets for my family,” he said, noting rumours about radiation protection are spreading, with little reliable information available.
In addition to industrial sites, other civilian locations were also hit, including the University of Science and Technology in Tehran and a clinic near Shajare Tayyiba Elementary School in Minab, which had been targeted before.
More than 200 people, mostly students, were killed in the earlier attack on the school.
Restricted traffic via Hormuz
In recent days, Iran has largely blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, some ships from India and Pakistan have been allowed to pass after negotiations.
Since the war began, Iran has used control of the strait to apply economic pressure on the United States and its allies.
Former diplomat Kourosh Ahmadi said the situation is changing.
“At first, it was not clear what Trump’s goal was in attacking Iran. It is now clearer that closing the Strait of Hormuz and the growing energy crisis could become major problems for him. That is why he may use any means to reopen it,” said Ahmadi.
He also pointed to a possible shift in Iran’s approach, noting, “Experience, especially from the Iran-Iraq war, shows that leverage does not last forever. It must be used at the right time in diplomacy. Control of the Strait of Hormuz is a strong tool.”
“But if it is not used wisely, and if the US and Israel gain wider international support, the situation could change,” he cautioned.
This story is produced in collaboration with Egab.