Iran fisherwoman says war has disrupted life and livelihoods on Hengam Island

An Iranian fisherwoman on Hengam Island has described how the war between the United States and Israel and Iran has disrupted daily life, fishing and tourism on the southern island. Khadijeh Bandari said the bombing campaign shattered what she called an ordinary seaside routine built around fishing, a small guesthouse and a restaurant. Her account points to the wider civilian and economic impact of the conflict beyond military targets.

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Bandari said she and her family sold fish through an Instagram page and delivered it to cities across Iran, while also serving tourists at a seaside restaurant. She said the business was hit first by several weeks of internet shutdowns in January, which stopped online fish sales and reduced visitor numbers. When connectivity returned, she said the family hoped conditions would improve, but the war began soon afterwards.

According to her account, the fighting reached Hengam Island on Saturday, 28 February, when her mother, who was fishing at sea, shouted that the war had started. Bandari said the sound of explosions from American bombs reached the island soon after, and a nearby village was hit. She said a coastguard then ordered residents to pack up their stalls and stay away from the beach.

The testimony suggests the conflict has affected not only security but also the island economy, which depends on fishing, tourism and small-scale trade. Bandari said that in the first days many people expected the attacks to end quickly, but the war continued day and night. She added that, over time, families began leaving Hengam Island because of fears of bombing.

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Hengam Island lies off the southern coast of Iran near Qeshm Island, in a region where coastal livelihoods are closely tied to the sea. Bandari said fishing is central to her life and that she learned the trade from her mother, underlining the role of women in the local fishing economy. Her account also shows how internet access has become essential for small businesses that rely on social media sales and deliveries.

The disruption described on Hengam Island comes against the backdrop of a broader war that has already affected civilian life in parts of Iran. The account does not give details on casualties on the island, but it does indicate that residents were told to leave the beach area and that a nearby village was struck. It also suggests that the conflict is creating pressure on communities far from major urban centres.

What remains unclear from the account is the scale of damage on Hengam Island, how many residents have left, and whether fishing and tourism can resume while the war continues. It is also not clear how long the internet shutdowns lasted in January or how widely they affected other island businesses. The next developments to watch are whether local authorities issue further restrictions, whether residents return, and whether the conflict continues to deepen the economic strain on coastal communities.

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