Even as Iran projects resilience in the war with the United States, its leaders are worried that a threat of more economic punishment by President Donald Trump could increase hardships, reignite unrest and further erode the Islamic republic’s legitimacy, Reuters reports.

After holding out in nearly six months of conflict and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil supply route, Tehran faces mounting pressure at home that could result in nationwide unrest, according to three Iranian officials.

The officials, two political insiders, a former Iranian official and a dozen ordinary Iranians have spoken to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Arshia, a civil engineer, spent a decade working in Iran’s construction industry before the war that began with US and Israeli attacks on February 28 brought projects largely to a standstill. He is now struggling to find work as projects are delayed or cancelled and costs soar, with little prospect of a rapid recovery.

“I’m worried. If Trump imposes more sanctions, how will ordinary people survive? I don’t want my country to be punished militarily or economically. We’re already struggling,” says the father of two from the central city of Isfahan.

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