India, March 27 -- As the Iran-Israel war enters its fourth week, social media is buzzing with talk of "lockdowns." But what does that actually mean on the ground? While there are no official COVID-style "stay-at-home" orders in Iran or Israel, both nations are experiencing severe "de facto" lockdowns due to ongoing air and missile strikes, infrastructure collapse, and travel bans.

The US and Israel launched huge assaults against Iran on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, and setting off retaliatory missile attacks throughout the area. This marked the beginning of the battle.

What Is a De Facto Lockdown?

A de facto lockdown refers to a situation where, despite the absence of formal, legally manda...