Two Tehrans: The parallel lives of a city

Two Tehrans: The parallel lives of a city Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 14:38 Power on display, uneven hardship, and divergent perceptions of life in post-war Iran An Iranian couple walks along a busy street in Tehran on 25 April 2026 (AFP) Off On a recent evening on a central street in Tehran, a street vendor knelt beside a set of clothing spread across the pavement, arranging small household items under the glare of passing headlights and honking cars. He murmured quietly, more in complaint than conversation: “Look, this is our life now. ” Foot traffic moved unevenly around him, some slowing to look, others stepping past without pause.