Iran Continues Functioning Despite Sustained Airstrikes

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Normally, when a war starts, countries experience a breakdown of basic services like electricity, fuel supply, and transportation. But according to this report, during about 40 days of heavy bombing by the United States and Israel, Iran did not collapse. Instead, it managed to repair damage faster than it was being destroyed.

In the first 24 hours alone, more than 1,200 bombs were dropped, targeting important infrastructure such as energy systems and transport networks. Despite this intense attack, electricity continued, fuel remained available, and the economy kept functioning.

After more than five weeks of bombing, a ceasefire began on April 8. Unlike what is usually expected after such destruction, there were no major humanitarian crises or large numbers of refugees at the borders.

One major example is the Yahya Abad railway bridge in Kashan, which connects Tehran to the important port of Bandar Abbas. It was bombed but repaired quickly—within 72 hours, trains were already crossing it again. Within 96 hours (4 days), six major railway bridges across Tehran, Alborz, Qom, Isfahan, Zanjan, and East Azerbaijan provinces were all working again. One bridge near Qom was even repaired in less than 40 hours.

Train services resumed very quickly. For example, the Tehran–Tabriz–Van passenger train to Turkey was running again less than a week after the tracks were bombed.

According to officials, most services were restored within 4 to 5 days. Even during the bombing, people continued using these services.

In the electricity sector, 99 power substations were damaged. However, according to the Tehran Province Electricity Distribution Company, electricity supply to the public was never completely cut off at any time.

The report explains that this is because Iran has developed strong systems over many years. After decades of sanctions and the war with Iraq in the 1980s, the country built a system that can handle shortages and quickly repair damage. It uses pre-prepared emergency teams, drone technology to assess damage quickly, and locally produced replacement parts.

In the energy sector, Deputy Petroleum Minister Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar said that even with heavy damage, 70% to 80% of energy capacity would be restored within one to two months after the ceasefire. Around 2,000 workers were already repairing facilities like the Shahr-e Rey oil depot even before the bombing stopped.

Another unusual point is about people. In many wars, like in Syria and Ukraine, millions of people flee the country. But in Iran, reports say that on some days, more people returned to the country than left it.

For example, a woman named Leila Rabetnezhadfard cancelled her wedding plans in Istanbul and returned to Shiraz because she felt safer being with her family in Iran. The International Organization for Migration said this shows that many people chose to stay with their families instead of leaving.

The report also compares Iran with other countries. For example, a strike on the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar reduced its export capacity by 17%, and repairs may take up to five years. At the same time, Gulf countries are expected to see their economies shrink by 5.2% to 8.5% due to the wider effects of the conflict.

In comparison, Iran continued functioning despite being directly bombed.

The report also mentions India, saying the conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused serious energy problems there. Some areas reportedly experienced daily power cuts of more than 8 hours, gas prices increased in the black market, and up to 67% of factory operations in Gujarat were shut down.

In Iran, however, oil revenue remained strong. Before the war, Iran was earning about $150 million per day from oil, and according to the report, that amount was maintained or even increased during the conflict.

Still, the economy was not unaffected. The petrochemical sector lost about 85% of its export capacity due to attacks, and steel production dropped by about 70%.

The key difference, according to the report, is how Iran responds. While other countries may wait for foreign companies to repair infrastructure, Iran uses its own engineers and locally produced materials. The country produces about 31 million tons of steel per year, ranking 10th globally, which helps it rebuild quickly.

In conclusion, the report claims that Iran managed to keep its economy running, maintain electricity and fuel supply, and quickly repair infrastructure even while under heavy bombing—something it says no other country in the region has achieved at this level.

Source: Press Tv

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