Anonymousabout 2 hours ago
Iran's defense budget surged to $23.1 billion in 2025 — a 35% increase — even as civilian sectors contracted sharply, with construction falling 12.9% and the rial losing over 95% of its value since 2018. The widening gap between military and civilian economies is sustained by off-budget funding mechanisms, IRGC commercial dominance over key industries, and barter arrangements with Russia and China, while an estimated 57% of Iranians face malnourishment and the middle class has shrunk dramatically under sustained sanctions pressure.