US Airstrikes Intensify Hardship in Southern Iran Amidst Growing Discontent

New Delhi, India Jul 20, 2026 ALN: Opposition to Iran’s clerical rulers has long simmered in the country’s impoverished south. However, after bearing the brunt of recent U.S. strikes, many residents are directing their anger at President Donald Trump and an air campaign they say has upended their lives.

Southern Iran, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, has become a major target of U.S. attacks on ports, energy facilities, and transport infrastructure. Washington claims these strikes aim to curb Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through this strategic waterway. In contrast, Tehran asserts that the attacks have exceeded legitimate military targets.

Most of the more than two dozen southern residents interviewed by Reuters via phone or messaging apps agreed that the strikes have gone beyond targets with a clear military purpose. The situation has compounded the already dire economic conditions in a region that has historically faced neglect from the central government.

“Trump has ruined our lives more than the Islamic rulers did,” said Amin, who runs a small boarding house for tourists in the south, blaming the U.S. strikes for worsening economic hardship. His sentiment reflects a growing frustration among residents who feel caught in the crossfire of international conflict, a sentiment echoed by many in a region that has long struggled with issues of governance and economic stability.

Despite long-running hostility towards Tehran in many southern provinces, including among some of Iran’s marginalized ethnic minorities, none of those interviewed indicated that the conflict had generated support for renewed anti-government protests. This raises questions about the effectiveness of U.S. military strategy in the region, which has historically aimed to destabilize the Iranian government by inciting popular dissent.

NO NEW WAVE OF UNREST IN THE SOUTH

“I feel like I’m suffocating,” added Amin. This frustration with the strikes’ impact helps explain why, even in provinces known for anti-government protests, the war has not triggered further unrest—something Trump had hoped for at the start of the conflict. The lack of renewed protests may indicate that while the populace is discontented, they are also wary of the potential consequences of escalating their grievances in a climate of military aggression.

Like the other Iranians interviewed, Amin requested that his family name not be published for fear of reprisals. This underscores the atmosphere of fear and repression that still looms over dissent in Iran, even as external pressures mount. The Iranian government's history of crackdowns on protests, particularly in the southern regions, has left many residents hesitant to voice their discontent publicly.

Reza, 62, a veteran of the 1988-89 Iran-Iraq war, stated that his son had been detained during mass protests in January, and he had little regard for Iran’s theocratic system. Nevertheless, he expressed a willingness to fight against the United States, saying, “If my country needs me, I’ll take up arms again, not for this regime but for the soil beneath my feet. It’s the least I owe it.” This sentiment reflects a complex relationship with national identity and loyalty, where residents may oppose their government but still feel a deep-rooted sense of patriotism, particularly in the face of foreign aggression.

The southerners interviewed included individuals who had participated in previous protests and described themselves as opponents of the ruling system. Yet, none expressed support for renewed unrest at this time. This could suggest a strategic pause among the populace, as they weigh the risks of further protest against the backdrop of intensified military action from the U.S.

Simultaneously, few voiced support for Iran’s rulers—a potential sign of future problems for Tehran. The clerical leadership fears that prolonged economic hardship could further alienate its core base among middle- and low-income Iranians, especially if a peace deal remains elusive. The government may find itself in a precarious position if discontent continues to simmer without an outlet, as the combination of external pressures and internal dissatisfaction could lead to an unpredictable future.

HUGE REGION IS HOME TO SEVERAL ETHNIC MINORITIES

Southern Iran’s provinces of Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan, and Sistan-Baluchistan form a large, diverse region stretching along a humid, rugged coastline from Iraq to Pakistan. Khuzestan is home to a significant Arab minority, while Sistan-Baluchistan hosts Iran’s Baluchi ethnic minority, and Hormozgan is home to a Sunni Muslim religious minority—groups that have often complained of discrimination in the Persian-majority, Shi’ite Muslim Islamic Republic. This ethnic diversity has historically contributed to a complex social fabric, where issues of identity and governance are intertwined with economic grievances.

Iran’s minorities, which also include Kurds in the west, Azeris in the northwest, and Turkmen in the northeast, have opposed the ruling clerics for decades. Their grievances range from the right to use native languages in schools and courts to policies that have damaged their local environments and worsened health and other care. The lack of attention to these issues has fostered a sense of alienation among these communities, which may be exacerbated by the current military situation.

Despite possessing most of Iran’s oil and gas, residents of the south have also complained of low investment, limited opportunities, and state services so poor that power networks fail in the scorching summer heat, leaving them to endure without relief. This paradox of resource wealth alongside acute poverty highlights the failures of governance in the region and raises questions about the allocation of national resources.

“The U.S. attacks have deepened our problems. No electricity for hours means no water for hours in this heat,” said Hadi, a grocery shop owner in Khuzestan province. His words reflect a broader sentiment among residents who are facing the dual challenges of foreign military action and domestic neglect.

“I love Iran, not the Islamic Republic and those who are calling for the continuation of the war while sitting in their air-conditioned homes and offices. This war should stop. Enough is enough,” he added. This statement encapsulates the frustration felt by many who believe that the consequences of the conflict are disproportionately borne by ordinary citizens rather than those in power.

The authorities deny any regional, ethnic, or religious discrimination. However, during mass anti-government unrest in January, as well as in earlier protests in 2022 and 2019, some southern areas were seen as active centers of opposition. The government's denial of discrimination may reflect a lack of understanding or acknowledgment of the grievances held by these communities, which could further exacerbate tensions in the future.

Majid, a 41-year-old engineer in Konarak, expressed that the war had brought new fear to a town already struggling with years of neglect: nights filled with the sound of explosions, followed by days of heat, hours of darkness, and fears of empty water pipes. The psychological toll of living under such conditions cannot be understated, as residents grapple with the constant threat of violence and its impact on their daily lives.

Power cuts have become particularly punishing in provinces where summer temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 F), leaving families without air conditioning and disrupting water supplies that depend on electric pumps. This situation highlights the intersection of military conflict and environmental challenges, as residents face not only the immediate dangers of airstrikes but also the long-term impacts of climate change and inadequate infrastructure.

In Bushehr, home to Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant, high school student Samad lamented that he could not focus on his exams due to the nightly attacks. “I wanted freedom, but look what Trump brought for us,” he said. His statement reflects a disillusionment with the outcomes of both domestic governance and foreign intervention, as young people in the region confront a future fraught with uncertainty.

The current situation in southern Iran illustrates the complex interplay of local grievances, ethnic tensions, and the impacts of external military actions. As residents navigate these challenges, the potential for future unrest remains, contingent on the ability of the Iranian government to address the underlying issues of economic hardship and ethnic discrimination, as well as the ongoing pressures from foreign powers. The path forward for both the residents of southern Iran and the Iranian government will require careful consideration of these multifaceted dynamics, as the stakes continue to rise in a region already marked by conflict and instability.