‘We just want to play’: Iran gamers battle reality of US sanctions

Youths play an online multiplayer game at an internet cafe in Tehran, a hobby made more expensive due to sanctions against the country, which inadvertently affect the game industry. — AFP

Iran’s millions-strong legion of gamers revel in online worlds, but they have to fight daily real-life obstacles imposed by US sanctions in their quest to level up and keep playing.

"It's a problem between governments and a pain for the consumer," said 24-year-old gamer and game journalist Amir Golkhani.