Iranians Skipping Medical Care, Buying Less Food as Economic Conditions Worsen: Report

More than 70 percent of Iranians have cut back on food or postponed medical treatment due to rising prices as the U.S. maintains economic pressure on the country, according to a new survey.

The Iran International poll found that many Iranians continue to struggle with high prices and inflation. The survey was conducted between October 30 and November 3 and had 404 respondents. Some respondents shared personal details of their economic situation.

For example, a social security pensioner said they received 32 million tomans a month. Of that amount, 25 million went to rent, 5 million to debt payments, and another 1.4 million on building and utility expenses. This left the person with just 600,000 tomans, or less than $20.

"I don't have money for potatoes and onions," the person wrote, according to the outlet.

The Iranian economy has been under pressure for years, and the problems predate the start of the U.S. war with Iran.

Economic woes boiled over in January when tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets to protest economic conditions and the falling value of the rial. The regime responded with violence, killing and maiming thousands in actions the United Nations has said amounted to crimes against humanity. Estimates have said that as many as 35,000 people were killed by the regime.

The economic conditions in the country have continued to deteriorate since the start of the war, which began in late February.

U.S. efforts to blockade and economically isolate the country further could lead to significant gas shortages this winter. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said underlying economic problems and wartime conditions are taking a toll.

"The country is not in a 'no war, no peace' situation; it is in a fully wartime situation, "Mohajerani said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that the U.S. will continue to apply economic pressure. "The economic pain that ​is being inflicted on Iran right now is extraordinary and it ​compounds. It's growing every day," Rubio said.

Iran International's survey found that many Iranians were working at least two jobs to make ends meet. According to the survey, 46 percent said they had one job while 30.5 percent had two jobs or more. However, 24 percent said they had no income-generating employment.

Iran International noted that the rial had lost half its value over the course of the last year. The survey found that 94 percent of Iranians said their financial situation had worsened in the last year, with 75 percent saying the decline was severe.

"I borrowed about 60 million tomans from people, and I haven't been able to pay back even one million," one survey respondent stated. "Our life is only a life in name."