An Iranian Telegram channel gives us a glimpse into life in Tehran, after more than 40 days of war:

Tehran has filled with Toyota Hilux pickup trucks armed with machine guns. The city’s appearance has become just like during the ISIS rule in Raqqa(Syria) and Mosul(Iraq). Special units are deployed in parks, schools, and mosques. Checkpoints have increased, but with fewer personnel.

At most major intersections, suppression forces have been stationed. Under the bridges of all highways, checkpoints have been set up with flags of the Islamic Republic, Zainabiyoun, Fatemiyoun, and Hashd al-Shaabi, deliberately causing traffic jams and harassing citizens.

Tehran has effectively become a military camp for foreign militias subordinate to the Revolutionary Guards. Congratulations to the dishonorable commanders of the army.

Private companies are operating at full capacity, but government offices, which were supposed to work with 50% of the staff, barely reach 30%. And even those who do come leave in the middle of the day. In other words, if you arrive at offices toward the end of the day, there is almost no one there. Telephone response is almost non-existent. The city’s transportation system also operates at less than half its pre-war capacity.

Most city buses are used by special units and Basij for rest and changing clothes.

In practice, there is no government. Everything is under the control of the Revolutionary Guards and security bodies. The government has effectively become a ceremonial body that advances the economic, social, and military goals of the Revolutionary Guards. Government institutions have become a kind of independent “colonies,” with no connection between them or with the higher levels.

Education systems like “Shad” are not operational, and in practice, schooling in schools is suspended. Universities have also moved to online learning, but with what internet and infrastructure? Nothing.

Governmental, service, and banking systems also operate intermittently. ATMs mostly have no cash, and it is almost impossible to obtain cash.

Tehran is no longer the Tehran it once was. The place of movement, energy, and bustle has been taken by waves of suppression forces and armed armored vehicles. Nothing here is normal. Do not believe the staged and fake pictures coming from parks and cafes. These days, if security conditions and means allowed, it would be possible to make a documentary about Tehran’s condition and call it: “Tehran – The City of the Walking Dead.”

But people still hope. The failure of the talks in Islamabad was good news for them because there is still hope that the fate of this violent regime will be decided. The truth is that the public fears the renewal of war, but fears even more the renewed recovery of the Islamic Republic.