The war on Iran, now two and a half weeks underway, is unfolding with a stark disparity in attention to its human cost. Whereas much of the Western media focuses on the strategic calculations of the United States and Israel, and the potential implications for American interests, the devastating impact on Iranian civilians and infrastructure receives comparatively less coverage. This imbalance was a central theme of a recent roundtable discussion hosted by the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), bringing together historians to contextualize the conflict and its effects.
According to official Iranian sources, the bombardment has resulted in over 1,400 civilian casualties and 18,000 injuries. Approximately 61,000 civilian structures have been damaged, and the United Nations reports that roughly 3.2 million people have been displaced. These figures, while originating from official sources, underscore the scale of the crisis. The MERIP roundtable sought to address how Iranians are navigating this siege, how information is flowing – or not flowing – in and out of the country, and how observers outside Iran can accurately understand the situation.
Understanding the Information Landscape
One key discussion point centered on the challenges of accessing reliable information from within Iran. Naghmeh Sohrabi, Charles Corky Goodman Professor of Middle East History at Brandeis University and director of research at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies, highlighted the complexities of the information environment. “The Iranian state tightly controls traditional media,” she explained, “but there’s a vibrant, if precarious, network of independent journalists and citizen reporters utilizing social media and encrypted messaging apps.”
Kaveh Ehsani, associate professor of international studies at DePaul University and a member of MERIP’s Board of Directors, added that the regime’s control extends to the internet itself, with frequent disruptions and filtering. He pointed to Nashraasoo (@nashraasoo on Instagram) as an example of an independent Iranian media outlet attempting to circumvent these restrictions and provide on-the-ground reporting. “These platforms are crucial for documenting the reality of the war, but they also operate under constant threat of censorship and surveillance,” Ehsani noted.
The roundtable participants emphasized the importance of critically evaluating information coming from all sources, including official statements from both sides of the conflict. Toby Craig Jones, associate professor of history at Rutgers University and a member of MERIP’s editorial committee, cautioned against relying solely on Western media narratives, which often prioritize geopolitical strategy over the lived experiences of those directly affected.
Historical Context and Sanctions
The discussion also delved into the historical roots of the current conflict, framing it within a longer trajectory of US-Iran relations. Participants referenced Roy Mottahedeh’s The Mantle of the Prophet: Religion and Politics in Iran as a foundational text for understanding the complex interplay of religion and power in Iranian society. This historical perspective, they argued, is essential for avoiding simplistic interpretations of the current crisis.
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the impact of decades of economic sanctions on Iran. Kaveh Ehsani drew on his previous research, including his 2020 Middle East Report Online article, “Voices from the Middle East: US Sanctions on Iran Devastate the Health Sector,” to illustrate how these sanctions have systematically weakened Iran’s infrastructure and healthcare system, making the population even more vulnerable to the effects of war. He noted that the current conflict is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities created by years of economic pressure.
Joy Gordon’s work on the devastating consequences of sanctions, including her edited volume Economic Sanctions from Havana to Baghdad (Cambridge, 2025) and her 2020 Middle East Report article “The Enduring Lessons of the Iraq Sanctions,” provided further context, highlighting the long-term humanitarian costs of this form of warfare. Research from the Costs of War Project at Brown University also underscores the broad and often overlooked impacts of prolonged conflict and sanctions on civilian populations.
The roundtable also touched upon the legal dimensions of the conflict, referencing a recent roundtable discussion published by Jadaliyya, “Roundtable on the War on Iran and International Law” (March 13, 2026), which examined the legality of the actions taken by the US and Israel under international law.
Firoozeh Kashani Sabet’s recent essay, “Iranicide: the Genealogy of Hate” (The Tempered View, March 14, 2026), offered a powerful and unsettling analysis of the historical and ideological forces driving the conflict, framing it as a form of systemic violence against Iranian identity and culture.
Listen to the full MERIP Roundtable discussion here: https://embed.acast.com/685eb391653df36e7bde7c0a/69bb5888c4b9c3b6f411bf20" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="190px
The Human Toll and the Path Forward
The MERIP roundtable served as a crucial reminder that the war on Iran is not simply a geopolitical game, but a human tragedy unfolding in real time. The immense suffering of the Iranian people, compounded by years of economic hardship, demands greater attention and a more nuanced understanding. As the conflict continues, it is vital to prioritize the protection of civilians and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
The next key development to watch will be the upcoming report from the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled for release on April 15, 2026, which is expected to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in Iran. This report will likely offer further insights into the scale of the crisis and the challenges facing the Iranian population.
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