Make Money in Iran with AI

Living in Iran means limitations. From blocked websites and payment restrictions to global sanctions, the digital world often feels locked to us. But something changed in late 2022: AI exploded, and suddenly, even from behind a digital wall, I found a way in.

I want to share how I — someone with no access to PayPal, Stripe, or international banks — started making real money online, thanks to ChatGPT and other AI tools. If you’re reading this from anywhere in the world, especially from a place with limited resources, this story is for you.

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The Turning Point: Discovering ChatGPT

I came across ChatGPT on Twitter in early 2023. People were calling it a “game-changer.” At first, I thought: “It’s just another chatbot.” But then I asked it to write an Instagram caption for my small business. It gave me three great ones — in 5 seconds.

Next, I asked it to write a blog post, a product description, and even an email pitch for clients. It nailed each one.

That’s when I realized:

“I can offer services using AI as my backend writer.”

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What I Did with AI to Make Money

Here are the exact steps I took:

1. I started writing on Vocal.media

• I wrote real stories about my experience living in Iran and exploring AI tools.

• I used ChatGPT to help me structure and polish my articles.

• Vocal pays for reads from premium users. My first article made me $3.27. Small, but real!

2. I created digital products

• I used Canva and Notion AI to design:

• Resume templates

• Instagram content packs

• AI prompt guides

• I listed them on Gumroad — a free platform to sell digital files.

3. I became a “freelancer behind the scenes”

• I offered writing, translation, and caption-writing services through Telegram and Instagram DMs.

• AI helped me write faster and better than ever.

4. I shared what I learned

• I posted about AI tools on LinkedIn and Medium.

• This brought me visibility and even small consulting gigs.

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Challenges I Faced

Let me be honest — it wasn’t easy.

• I couldn’t withdraw money easily. Stripe doesn’t work in Iran.

I used a trusted friend abroad to receive payments and send me crypto in return.

• Some tools like Pictory.ai and Copy.ai were blocked or limited.

I had to use VPNs and sometimes access them through mirror links.

• I doubted myself.

“Who would buy from an unknown Iranian with no portfolio?” But people did. Why? Because I delivered value.

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The Truth About AI and Making Money

You don’t need to be a coder, or even fluent in English. You just need:

• An idea

• The right tools

• Some persistence

• And courage to start

With ChatGPT, Canva, and Vocal, you can build your first digital income stream — even if you live in a sanctioned country, have no bank account, and work from a secondhand laptop.

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever thought, “People like me can’t make money online,” I want you to know — I thought that too. But I proved myself wrong.

So can you.

If you’d like me to share more detailed steps, free AI tools, or templates I used — let me know in the comments or reach out.

You don’t need permission to start. Just begin.