Many people, when they think of Iran, imagine sanctions, economic hardship, and international isolation.
But in my years of business practice in Iran, I’ve seen a very different reality—a society that continues to operate resiliently under pressure, a nation that has woven “self-reliance” into everyday life.
Today, from my own business perspective, I want to explore how Iranians have, under sanctions and resource constraints, managed to build a functioning economic system, develop self-repairing mechanisms, and demonstrate remarkable commercial resilience.
This story begins in 1979.
After the Islamic Revolution, the new government believed Iran had no reason to continue following the U.S.-led Western policy framework. Instead, they emphasized that Iran must become a truly independent country—politically independent of the West, and ideologically rooted in its own faith and philosophy.
Because the government adhered to Islam and viewed it as a complete social ideology, they believed that Islam alone could provide the institutional and moral foundations for Iranian society, without borrowing from any foreign ideology.
This stance inevitably angered the United States, and Iran subsequently entered a 46-year period of sanctions.
For most countries, the word “sanctions” implies fear and disruption. In Iran, however, it has become a part of daily life. Many Iranians have been immersed in this environment since birth—currency fluctuations, material shortages, restricted international payments are all normal.
From a once-regional power suddenly thrust into isolation, Iran did not retreat. Instead, long-term pressure forged a unique self-repairing capacity.
一， From “Isolation” to “Building Their Own Systems”: Everything Must Be Self-Made
Even under 46 years of sanctions, Iran remains the most complete industrial system in the Middle East—bar none. This is often underestimated both regionally and across Asia.
In manufacturing, Iranians can produce almost anything—from household appliances to cars, from pharmaceuticals to defense equipment—often surpassing neighboring countries in quality and capability. The medical and high-tech industries, in particular, have established complete R&D, production, and application chains. Iranians can produce their own medicines, build drones, manufacture missiles, and even repair airplanes and cars.
In finance, although Iran is largely excluded from global payment systems, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Astute Iranian entrepreneurs are familiar with the complexities of international settlements and can navigate the vast global trade network with ease, adapting creatively to global trade constraints.
In their strongest sectors—energy and industrial goods—export demand remains high. Oil, bitumen, steel, and chemical products are consistently in shortage. Many Chinese companies, as well as Turkish and Emirati traders, actively seek Iranian products.
This demonstrates that Iran’s “isolation” has not led to decline, but rather forged an exceptionally resilient and internally robust economy.
二，From “Institutional Gaps” to “Everyday Resilience”: The Self-Healing Power of Citizens
If government efforts reflect “systemic resilience,” ordinary Iranians display life-level resilience.
Sanctions have long strained the economy—high inflation, currency pressure, import restrictions, and financial barriers—but Iranian cities remain full of vitality. Cafés, art exhibitions, handicraft markets, and creative small shops thrive in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Iranians have never lost their pursuit of a good life.
This resilience is particularly evident in business.Older bazaar merchants maintain the economic lifeblood of the cities through decades of trust and relationships, while younger generations of talent explore opportunities in a globalized context—they are fluent in English, savvy with digital currencies, and adept at using international social media platforms for business.
Iran’s tech, internet, and digital currency ecosystem is among the most active in the Middle East. Many young people earn a living through remote development, cross-border design, and virtual asset trading, reconstructing a decentralized business ecosystem amid sanctions.
For them, sanctions only slow the pace—they do not halt the pursuit of their dreams. True resilience in Iran is not a slogan; it is continuous action. Even under harsh conditions, they find ways to create, build, and live with dignity.
三， From “National Sentiment” to “Cultural Confidence”: Resilience of the Spirit
The external world often attributes Iranian resilience to religious zeal. In my view, the deeper source lies in their cultural heritage.
Iranian confidence is not loud,it is quietly expressed in daily life—reading Hafez poetry in cafés, pursuing aesthetics and etiquette despite hardship, and maintaining pride in their identity even under international isolation.
Because of this cultural self-assurance, Iranians can live with dignity under sanctions. Their philosophical traditions emphasize patience and introspection, leading them to “repair” rather than collapse when facing crises.
This is what makes Iranians truly admirable: they survive not through external aid, but through history, belief, and a steadfast commitment to continue living fully.
Conclusion: To speak of “resilience” under sanctions may sound like describing a passive survival strategy. In Iran, however, it has evolved into an active logic of life.
Iranians are not waiting for the world to restore fairness—they are continuously building their own version of the world.
From enterprises to individuals, from factories to street vendors, self-reliance is more than a political slogan,it is a daily practice of resilience—a pragmatic belief in the power of one’s own hands.