Amid rising tensions in West Asia, an Iranian trader participating in a trade fair in Agartala has expressed deep concern for his family members caught in the unfolding conflict.

Pervez Ali Aman, 24, was arranging jars of saffron and cardamom at his stall at the Ocean World Carnival when thoughts of the escalating situation in Iran began weighing heavily on him.

“My father’s family is from Iran, and my brothers and their families are in Tehran,” Aman said, describing the anxiety he has felt since the conflict intensified following strikes by United States and Israel.

Trader with ties across conflict zones

Aman’s worries extend beyond Iran. His mother’s family comes from Afghanistan, a region that has also seen rising tensions in recent days.

“I have worries on both sides,” he said, explaining that the unrest in both countries has made the situation deeply personal.

Aman is part of a group of traders from Central Asia and Iran who travel across India during winter months to participate in trade fairs.

Their journey typically includes exhibitions in cities such as Pragati Maidan in Delhi, followed by events in Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata and now Agartala.

India has been a second home

Despite being Iranian by birth, Aman has spent several years in India and speaks multiple languages including Hindi, Punjabi and English, apart from Pashto, Dari and Farsi.

He completed his schooling in Delhi and says India has been welcoming to him.

“India has been good to me,” Aman said, reflecting on his experiences living and working in the country since 2013.

At the trade fair, he sells products such as saffron, dry fruits, cardamom and jewellery.

Families anxious as conflict escalates

Aman said phone calls from his brothers in Tehran have left him increasingly worried.

“From what we heard last night, the situation is not good. They are bombing schools and hospitals. We are trying to get our families out of Tehran, out of Iran if possible,” he said.

The conflict escalated sharply on February 28 when the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, with Israel carrying out parallel operations.

Iran later retaliated with strikes on military targets in the region.

Traders hope for peace

Aman warned that the war could have serious global economic consequences.

“Prices of oil and goods will increase. Businesses will be affected everywhere,” he said.

He also appealed for international intervention and called for global leaders to work toward peace.

At the same stall, another trader from Tehran, Zakir Ulla Karimi, echoed similar concerns, saying his entire family remains in the Iranian capital.

“I just want all of this to stop,” he said quietly.