Iran War's Ripple Effects Felt Globally in Daily Lives

WHO:

Fast Company - Edgar Funelas, a jeepney driver in Quezon City, Philippines.

Fast Company - Marlyn Garcia, a 25-year-old resident of New York.

Fast Company - Oluwatosin Awodunmila, co-owner of a printing business in Lagos, Nigeria.

Fast Company - A 54-year-old mother from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Fast Company - Felipe Molina, a taxi driver in Santiago, Chile.

Fast Company - Ali Osman Aykul, a carpet merchant in Istanbul, Turkey.

Fast Company - Enzo Garbaglia, a farmer in Fiumicino, Italy.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The war in Iran has caused significant disruptions in daily life across multiple countries, affecting businesses, fuel prices, and personal finances.

Fast Company - Funelas has not earned a single peso in days and is now earning about 16 cents per vehicle filled, barely enough to buy a piece of bread.

Fast Company - Garcia's partner lost his job in March and now works Uber shifts while searching for permanent work.

Fast Company - Awodunmila's business has been severely impacted, with fuel prices for their generator nearly doubling from 800 naira to 1,400 naira.

Fast Company - Aykul's business fell by 90% within 10 days of the war starting, with customers now primarily buying cheap souvenirs instead of handmade carpets.

Fast Company - Garbaglia's farming costs have increased, leading to reduced profits and a struggle to maintain the family business.

WHERE:

Fast Company - Quezon City, Philippines.

Fast Company - New York, United States.

Fast Company - Lagos, Nigeria.

Fast Company - Kathmandu, Nepal.

Fast Company - Santiago, Chile.

Fast Company - Istanbul, Turkey.

Fast Company - Fiumicino, Italy.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Funelas's day of disruption was April 10, 2026.

Fast Company - Garcia's day of disruption was June 30, 2026.

Fast Company - Awodunmila's day of disruption was June 5, 2026.

Fast Company - The mother's day of disruption was May 19, 2026.

Fast Company - Molina's day of disruption was July 10, 2026.

Fast Company - Aykul's day of disruption was June 17, 2026.

Fast Company - Garbaglia's day of disruption was June 12, 2026.

WHY:

Fast Company - The war in Iran has caused a severe shock to global oil markets, leading to increased fuel prices and economic hardship.

Fast Company - The United Nations Development Program warned that a severe shock to the fossil fuel system could push 45 million more people into poverty.

HOW:

Fast Company - Funelas uses laundry soap to wash himself and his clothes due to financial constraints.

Fast Company - Garcia calculates her daily schedule around her family's needs and the rising costs of living.

Fast Company - Awodunmila's business relies on electricity, which is often unavailable, forcing her to use a generator that is costly to operate.

Fast Company - Aykul is waiting for a visa to potentially travel to international fairs to sell his carpets, as local business has declined.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 17:33 UTC)

The ongoing war in Iran has caused significant disruptions in daily life across various countries, severely impacting businesses, fuel prices, and personal finances. In Quezon City, jeepney driver Edgar Funelas has not earned a single peso in days, while in Lagos, Oluwatosin Awodunmila's printing business is struggling due to skyrocketing fuel costs. Meanwhile, in New York, Marlyn Garcia is juggling her family's needs as her partner searches for work after losing his job, highlighting the widespread economic hardship stemming from this conflict.