Iran International
Public schools across Iran are demanding payments from parents for basic supplies, utility bills and repairs, with some withholding report cards or pressuring students to secure the money, according to accounts sent to Iran International.
Parents responding to an inquiry described repeated requests for payments ranging from stationery and cleaning products to multimillion-rial fees, despite government assurances that contributions to public schools must be voluntary.
"Only teachers' salaries are left for them to collect from parents," one parent wrote after being asked to contribute money for paper.
The accounts contrast with Education Minister Alireza Kazemi's September 20 announcement that public schools were prohibited from charging families for enrollment or the start of the academic year.
Financial contributions from parents must be entirely voluntary, Kazemi said.
Parents asked to cover utility bills and cleaning supplies
Families described being required to cover routine school expenses, including water, electricity, gas, cleaning supplies and equipment repairs.
"The government provides no assistance to schools," several respondents wrote in messages.
At a school meeting in early October, parents were told the government had no budget and public schools would have to operate with financial support from families, one parent said.
The school subsequently presented a list of monthly expenses covering water, electricity, drinking-water facilities, cleaning, heating and cooling equipment.
At another school, parents were asked to pay 2.5 million rials each to purchase paper.
Other families described requests for money to buy whiteboard markers, light bulbs, A4 paper, garbage bags and even to repair a broken classroom door.
One mother said her child's school demanded money for hand soap despite toilets being so dirty and unusable that her child avoided using them throughout the five-hour school day.
Parents have also been asked to purchase materials for basic science experiments because schools lack adequate laboratory equipment, according to another account.
Some schools have sought contributions for government and religious ceremonies, requesting money and sweets from families.
Voluntary contributions become compulsory payments
Some families described payments equivalent to tuition fees at public schools, even though the schools are not permitted to charge compulsory enrollment fees.
One parent said their child's public school collected 50 million rials despite having virtually no facilities.
Iran's minimum monthly wage was set at 166 million rials for 2026, equivalent to about $61 at an exchange rate of 2.72 million rials to the dollar.
Another described a public school with approximately 300 students attending in two shifts that collected between 17 million and 20 million rials from each student, regardless of the family's financial circumstances.
Examination paper costs were charged separately, the parent said.
Several parents said schools refused to release students' report cards until additional payments were made.
The accounts contradict the education ministry's position that contributions must be optional.
Government funding shortages should not result in financial pressure on families, Akbar Pouladi, a member of parliament's education committee, said on August 26, criticizing compulsory payments at some schools.
In some cases, families said enrollment or the distribution of textbooks was conditional on payment.
Higher payments, inadequate facilities
Despite the growing financial demands, some parents said school conditions had not improved.
Nearly two months into the academic year, one parent said their child's school still lacked a proper door, whiteboard, curtains and enough desks, even though families were being charged to cover operating expenses.
A teacher said the school where they worked had relied on parental contributions for years.
At the beginning of each academic year, administrators told parents that without their financial support, the school could not remain operational, the teacher said.
People across Iran say they are struggling to afford food, clothing and rent, while others face unpaid wages and falling business sales, according to messages sent to Iran International as year-on-year inflation hit 88.7% in October.
Messages describe mounting financial pressures on workers, pensioners, students, single mothers and small business owners, with some unable to meet basic needs and others facing unpaid wages and declining sales.
"I went to buy a piece of flat bread. All I got was a piece the size of my palm for 400,000 rials. I don't know how we're supposed to live," one resident wrote.
Iran's minimum monthly wage for 2026 was set at approximately 166 million rials ($61 at the current exchange rate of 2.72 million rials per US dollar).
A pensioner said their monthly income was insufficient to cover even 10 days of living expenses, illustrating the widening gap between household earnings and everyday costs.
Iran's annual inflation rate reached 76.8% in October, with prices rising 4.4% from the previous month, according to figures released by the Statistical Center of Iran.
The 88.7% year-on-year inflation rate means households had to spend an average of 88.7% more than in October 2025 to purchase the same basket of goods and services.
Food prices hit small businesses
Rising food prices have affected not only consumers but also small businesses facing a sharp decline in demand.
"Before the war, I used to sell 70 chickens every day, but because of rising prices, daily sales have dropped to 12," the owner of a poultry and egg shop in Tabriz told Iran International.
The decline represents an approximately 83% reduction in the number of chickens sold daily, reflecting the impact of inflation and weakened consumer purchasing power.
Families struggle with school and clothing costs
The rising cost of education has added to the financial burden on families, with students describing difficulties obtaining basic school supplies.
"I need stationery to study, but prices have risen so much that I can't even afford a notebook," one student wrote to Iran International.
Education recorded the highest monthly price increase among major household expenditure categories in October, rising 23.5%, according to the Statistical Center of Iran.
A mother in Mashhad said she visited a discount clothing store to buy warm clothes for her daughter but found that a hoodie and trousers cost 35 million rials ($13).
Unpaid wages compound housing pressures
Alongside inflation, delayed salary payments have deepened financial difficulties for workers already struggling with rent and family expenses.
An employee of Atlas Air said outstanding wages had not been paid, leaving the family struggling to meet its financial obligations.
"We are tenants, and we also cover the expenses of our family and our parents," the employee wrote to Iran International.
A woman who heads her household and works in the oil industry's healthcare sector said her salary had not been paid by October 29. Officials attributed the delay to a shortage of funds, she added.
Economic hardship has intensified alongside currency depreciation, inflation and declining purchasing power, while the Islamic Republic continues to pursue a confrontational foreign policy, particularly toward the United States and Israel.
Self-immolation accounts for about 16% of burn hospitalizations in Iran, with women and young people making up a significant share of victims and mortality rates reaching 62%, the head of the country's burn association said on Sunday.
The figures come from an analysis of 39 studies conducted across Iran, which estimated the incidence of self-immolation at approximately 4.5 cases per 100,000 people, Hamid Salehi, head of the Iranian Burn Association, told the ILNA news agency.
"Self-immolation is not merely a medical issue, but a social and public health problem that requires cooperation between the healthcare system, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and institutions responsible for preventing social harm," Salehi said.
The research found that people who attempted self-immolation suffered burns covering an average of 65% of their bodies, with approximately 62% dying after hospitalization.
Salehi described the severity of injuries and death rates as deeply concerning, particularly given the substantial proportion of women and young people among those affected.
The findings were based on previous studies, and an accurate assessment of the present situation would require a comprehensive and up-to-date national registry, Salehi added.
Economic pressures and mental health concerns
The figures come as worsening economic, political and social crises in Iran have heightened concerns about the psychological pressures facing the population.
Iranian society is approaching an emergency in mental health and social welfare, with uncertainty stemming from the country's prolonged state of neither war nor peace placing severe pressure on citizens, Alireza Aghayousefi, head of Iran's Psychology and Counseling Organization, warned on October 25.
A person seeking welfare assistance set themselves on fire in protest against a medical committee's decision, Alireza Vahidzadeh, head of the Welfare Organization in Kerman province, said on October 28.
In August, human rights news agency HRANA reported that Souma Moghaddami, an 18-year-old woman from Piranshahr who had been subjected to child marriage, died in hospital from injuries sustained after setting herself on fire.
The cases add to concerns about self-immolation as a form of self-harm linked to wider social and psychological distress.
Acid attacks leave lasting physical and psychological injuries
Chemical burns account for approximately 3% of burn-related hospital visits and admissions in Iran, Salehi said.
Some result from accidents at home or in workplaces, while others stem from deliberate acid attacks and interpersonal violence.
Research conducted in Shiraz found that intentional acid attacks accounted for approximately 29% of chemical burn cases, according to Salehi.
"Although acid attacks are less common than other causes of burns, they are particularly significant because of the severity of physical injuries, permanent disfigurement, facial damage, and psychological and social consequences," Salehi said.
Victims can face years of reconstructive surgery, substantial medical expenses, unemployment and social exclusion.
New acid attack cases continue to be referred to support organizations, while survivors and their families struggle with the long-term consequences of such violence, the Shargh newspaper reported in a September 23 investigation titled Unfinished Wounds.
The report described how the financial and psychological consequences of acid attacks can transform the lives of victims and their families long after the initial injuries.
Sanctions and inflation hamper burn treatment
Sanctions, inflation and rising prices have made it increasingly difficult for Iranian medical facilities to obtain essential burn treatment supplies, Salehi said.
Specialized burn dressings, medical equipment and certain medications, including antibiotics, have become harder to procure, with shortages and purchasing difficulties worsening over the past year.
The problems add pressure to a healthcare system treating patients who often require extensive medical intervention, prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Mental health specialists recommend encouraging anyone showing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts to seek support from a trusted healthcare professional, support organization or someone they trust.
Some inside Iran may be focused on Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival after Israel's inconclusive election, but the most consequential decision about another war with Iran may be made in Washington rather than Israel, analysts say.
Netanyahu's promise to "finish the job" in Iran has offered a ray of hope to some Iranians seeking the end of the Islamic Republic.
But Middle East analysts speaking to Iran International's Eye for Iran podcast challenged the idea that Netanyahu's return is essential to further military action against Tehran, arguing that Israel's political divisions do not necessarily extend to its assessment of the Iranian threat.
Instead, they pointed to President Donald Trump's remaining time in office as a potentially decisive factor in whether Israel and the United States launch another round of strikes against Iran.
Dan Feferman, a Middle East researcher and co-founder of Middle East 24, cautioned against interpreting Israel's political divisions through the traditional American left-right framework.
‘No soft approach on Iran’
He argued that an Israeli government led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, particularly one involving former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, would not necessarily approach the Iranian threat significantly differently from Netanyahu.
The divisions between Israel's political camps extend well beyond Iran, encompassing disputes over Netanyahu's handling of the October 7, 2023, security failures, the subsequent wars and military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Israelis.
Alex Winston, news editor of The Jerusalem Post, offered a similar assessment, arguing that Netanyahu's principal rivals would not necessarily pursue a softer approach toward the Islamic Republic.
But Winston drew an important distinction between confronting the Islamic Republic militarily and assuming responsibility for overthrowing it.
He argued that most Israelis would prefer to support Iranians seeking political change rather than have Israel itself be seen as the country that brought down the Islamic Republic.
That distinction raises a fundamental question about Netanyahu's repeated promise to "finish the job" in Iran: does it mean further weakening the Islamic Republic's military capabilities, or actively pursuing its removal from power?
Why Trump may matter more
Feferman pointed to the remaining two years of Trump's presidency as a potentially decisive window for further military action.
A future American president, particularly a Democrat, would be far less likely to support or participate in additional strikes against Iran, Feferman argued.
Netanyahu appeared to reinforce that argument in his first address following the October 27 election, in which his Likud party emerged as the largest but neither his bloc nor the opposition secured a clear parliamentary majority.
"Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever," he declared. "Israel stands before a historic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with our partner President Trump, to remove the existential threat from Iran once and for all."
The remarks placed Iran at the centre of Netanyahu's plans for another term, even as his path to forming a government remained uncertain.
Israel has its own security interests and military capabilities, but US political backing remains central to its leaders' calculations.
‘We want Bibi’
The Israeli election has nevertheless attracted considerable interest among Iranians hoping for the Islamic Republic's downfall.
Benjamin Basire, an Iranian-born Jewish political analyst living in the United States, said some had followed the vote as though it were their own, contacting him with messages expressing hope that Netanyahu would remain in power.
"We want Bibi. Bibi is our savior," he recalled them saying, adding that some feared Netanyahu's departure would extinguish their hopes of political change.
Netanyahu has already overseen two rounds of Israeli attacks on Iran, in 2025 and 2026, as well as operations that killed senior Iranian military commanders and severely weakened Hezbollah, Tehran's most powerful regional ally.
But with the prospect of another confrontation looming, the question is whether Israel will act again, and with what degree of American support.
Winston suggested that the prospect of renewed fighting was already shaping expectations in Israel, pointing to the approaching US midterm elections as a potential turning point.
"We're already preparing for war," he warned.
"We're ready. That's for sure."
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Iranian security forces and plainclothes officers broke up a Halloween gathering in central Tehran on Friday evening, beating and detaining people and forcing nearby cafes to close, witnesses told Iran International.
Young people wearing Halloween costumes and makeup had gathered on Iranshahr Street, near Tehran's Artists Park, when police blocked the road. Basij members and plainclothes security personnel then moved in to disperse the crowd.
Members of the Basij, a paramilitary force affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and plainclothes security personnel then moved in to disperse the crowd.
An eyewitness said the operation extended beyond those celebrating Halloween, with families spending the evening in Artists Park also ordered to leave.
"It was like the protests. They were running after people and shouting, 'Disperse!'" the witness told Iran International.
The witness said officers ordered families to run and leave the area, describing the presence of Basij members, plainclothes personnel and pickup trucks.
Security forces arrest Halloween revelers, shut down Tehran cafes
The eyewitness said they saw people being arrested on Iranshahr Street.
Other information received by Iran International indicated that several people were beaten and cafes in the area were forced to close by security personnel.
The witness also reported seeing people carrying Islamic Republic flags in another part of the street.
The exact number of people detained and the extent of any injuries were not immediately clear.
Authorities ban Halloween celebrations
The incident followed a directive from Iran's Chamber of Guilds, a national body overseeing trade associations, prohibiting Halloween celebrations in public venues and businesses.
The organization warned that cafes, restaurants and other hospitality establishments could face closure and legal action for hosting or even advertising Halloween events.
It said the restrictions were intended to protect the country's "cultural, religious and social values."
Iranian authorities have repeatedly sought to restrict Halloween celebrations, which have become increasingly popular among younger Iranians despite official opposition to what authorities regard as Western cultural influences.
In October last year, the Chamber of Guilds issued a similar ban covering Halloween-themed gatherings, advertising and merchandise, warning that businesses violating the rules could be shut down and their managers referred to judicial authorities.
Halloween crackdown extends to other cities
Authorities also took action against Halloween celebrations in Yazd and Qazvin provinces.
In Yazd, provincial prosecutor Mehdi Hassanpour said organizers of Halloween events in Yazd and Ardakan had been summoned for questioning and a venue had been sealed.
He said the measures followed public complaints about women appearing without mandatory hijab and men and women attending a party together, according to the judiciary's provincial public relations office, cited by Didban Iran.
In Qazvin, police said on Saturday that 19 businesses had been identified and shut down as part of a campaign against Halloween celebrations, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Reza Esmailpour, head of the provincial police department overseeing public businesses, said the establishments had published Halloween-related images and promotional material.
He said authorities had also initiated legal proceedings against those involved as part of efforts to prevent the spread of what police described as Western culture and lifestyles.
Iranian outlet questions crackdown on Halloween
The security operation also drew criticism in Iranian media.
In a Friday article titled "The government's battle with the pumpkin," Iranian news website Rouydad24 questioned the authorities' approach to young people's cultural choices.
"What is the benefit of a security crackdown on people's lifestyles?" the outlet asked.
It described the restrictions on Halloween celebrations as part of a broader policy of confronting the cultural preferences of younger Iranians.
"Despite years of threats, warnings and business closures, this celebration remains popular among the younger generation," Rouydad24 wrote.
The outlet said the continued popularity of Halloween reflected a cultural divide that prohibitions and police action had failed to close.
The latest incident comes amid tighter enforcement of social restrictions in Iran, including rules governing dress and public gatherings, as the country faces the economic and political pressures of the ongoing war with the United States.
Arab states remain open to negotiations with Iran but need a reciprocal response from Tehran, the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Saturday, as senior regional officials warned of a more destructive phase of the US-Iran war.
The warnings came at the 22nd IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Syria and Yemen addressed Iranian attacks, Houthi operations and the growing risks to regional security.
"The GCC states have always called for dialogue and negotiation to resolve any issue in the region, and they still do," GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi said.
He said the six-member bloc maintained open channels with Iran alongside its partnerships with Western powers, China, Russia and other countries.
"In a region of widening divides, this ability to talk to all sides is one of the few assets left," he said.
"But diplomacy needs partners, partners who respond in kind."
Egypt warns next round of war could be more destructive
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed concern about renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, warning that another escalation could have wider consequences.
"The second round will be more dangerous, more destructive, and it will lead to nowhere. We have to draw lessons from the past," Abdelatty said, according to Reuters.
He also warned that military action could unleash consequences beyond the control of those who initiated it.
"A war can begin with a unilateral decision, but no one can unilaterally control its consequences or stop it," he told the conference.
Abdelatty called for diplomatic channels, confidence-building measures and regional participation in security arrangements, warning against repeating what he described as mistakes during negotiations over the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.
"Deterrence without diplomacy may postpone war, but cannot prevent it," he said.
Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb emerge as major concerns
Al Budaiwi called for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to return to conditions before February 28, when the US-Iran war began.
He said Iranian attacks on GCC member states had caused casualties and damaged civilian and critical infrastructure, while disruptions to the strait had affected energy prices, shipping, insurance and global supply chains.
"The GCC states were not a party to the war and did not seek it," he said.
Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji also warned about threats to international trade through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
"Securing navigation in the Red Sea and the Straits of Bab el Mandeb and Hormuz is a shared responsibility that requires regional and international cooperation based on the respect of international law," he said.
He condemned renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to commercial shipping, accusing the group of undermining diplomatic efforts to end the Yemen conflict.
Yemen points to Iranian support for Houthis
Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba directly linked regional maritime threats to outside support for the Houthis.
"The UN panel of experts on Yemen has shown that all the support being given to the Houthis from Iran, from Iraqi armed groups and Hezbollah has been proven," she said, citing findings she attributed to UN experts.
Al-Zouba called for efforts to stop weapons and financing reaching the group, warning of its connections with other armed organizations.
She also cited information received in 2025 about cooperation between the Houthis and Somalia's al-Shabab militant group involving weapons and training.
"Coastal security starts with security on land and the protection of civilians," she said, arguing that restoring Yemeni state authority was essential to protecting maritime routes.
Britain pledges military support alongside diplomacy
British Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty said the UK had deployed air defense equipment and personnel to Saudi Arabia to help protect against missiles and drones following renewed Houthi attacks.
He said British forces had also flown defensive missions over Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and the UAE during Iranian attacks and provided air defense support to Bahrain and Kuwait.
"We are clear and united in understanding the threat that is posed by Iran and the very serious threats from Iran and its proxies," Doughty said.
He reiterated Britain's opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons while promising continued diplomatic engagement.
"We must strain every sinew for peace," he said, adding that Britain would support threatened partners "with actions and not just words."
Syria condemns attacks on Arab countries
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also condemned missile and drone attacks on regional states, pledging support for Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
"We are against using Syria to threaten the neighboring countries," he said.
Al-Shaibani said Damascus was working to consolidate state control over weapons and strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries.
The remarks reflected a common theme at the conference: calls for diplomacy with Iran alongside demands for stronger defenses, an end to attacks on Arab countries and restored freedom of navigation.
Al Budaiwi said the GCC's offer of regional cooperation remained open.
"This invitation still stands for those who answer it with action," he said.
