Instead of personal growth, politics has become central to their lives. “Every topic me and my friends discuss, whether it’s the latest movie, a trip or our future, ends up with politics,” said Samaneh, 27, who lives with her parents and did not want her family name used out of fear of retribution. “Here our lives are decided by those in power. Our options are more and more limited.”

She emphasized that the issues her generation faced went well beyond the nuclear issue. Iran is grappling with corruption and inflation, and youth unemployment is over 20 percent, according to official figures, but experts say it is probably much higher. Divorce, drug abuse and inequality have risen steadily in the last decade.

“I really don’t see any of these issues being resolved,” Samaneh said, “but at least less foreign pressure, like an end to sanctions, would ease our burden a bit.”

The widespread sense of hopelessness is reinforced by memories of the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s predecessor, who was in power from 1997 to 2005. During his two terms, he tried to promote personal freedom, to encourage better relations with the West and to relax suffocating dress codes, drawing anger from conservatives but attracting millions of votes from youths and women.

His decision to suspend Iran’s nuclear enrichment program for two years became a huge controversy among Iran’s political elite, with his opponents — among them Mr. Ahmadinejad — accusing him of selling out to the West.

Mr. Khatami is currently exiled to the outer circles of the Iranian establishment, after his flirtations with the Green Movement during the revolt that followed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s disputed victory in the 2009 election. But for many people under 35, he is dearly missed.

“In those days we had a future; now we don’t even know what will happen tomorrow,” said Zahra, 32, who like so many others here said she was trying to emigrate. Her 2-year-old son ate ice cream at 10 a.m. while her husband, Ali, 32, watched television. Both asked not to be fully identified for fear of the authorities.