Iran’s war with the United States and the US blockade of its oil exports are intensifying economic pressure on ordinary citizens, who face unaffordable rent, food, medicine and other necessities. Interviews with residents across the country found households cutting purchases, leaving Tehran, abandoning cigarettes and relying on black-market services despite higher costs. Private-sector job losses are mounting, while fears of fuel shortages and supply disruptions are growing. Economic strains partly helped prompt the latest diplomatic efforts, but residents told Reuters they were too occupied with daily survival to consider protesting. Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned of unrest and previously responded to dissent with severe repression, including the killing of thousands of demonstrators in January, more than a month before the United States and Israel began their war with Iran.