**Residents of Tehran Fear the Consequences of Israeli Attacks**

In a gripping reflection of Tehran's current turmoil, citizens share their harrowing experiences of confusion and fear, wishing to avoid their city's transformation into a war-torn zone.

Long queues stretch outside petrol stations and bakeries in Tehran, as residents scramble to secure necessities against the backdrop of Israel’s recent airstrikes on the city. The strikes, which began early Friday morning, have left the population feeling frightened and trapped. “We haven’t slept in nights,” said a 21-year-old music student who identified herself as 'Donya' to protect her identity. “Everyone is leaving but I’m not; my dad says it’s more honourable to die in our own house than to run away.”

Donya’s sentiments echo the fears of many others who find themselves caught between a government they oppose and the threat of violence from Israel, whose operations in Gaza they have been following closely from afar. “I really don’t want my beautiful Tehran to turn into Gaza,” she stated, reflecting the conflicting emotions that swirl among the populace during these increasingly tense days.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Iranians to rise up against their clerical leadership, prompting a firm rebuttal from Donya: “We don’t want Israel to save us. No foreign country ever cared for Iran.” Another woman reported her initial excitement at seeing Iranian military figures being targeted, but as the reality of civilian casualties set in, her feelings evolved into sorrow and anger, fearing that the attacks might be directed towards reducing Iran to ruins.

Casualty reports highlight the human toll, with Iranian authorities claiming over 220 deaths, mostly among civilians, including women and children. On the Israeli side, at least 24 fatalities have been reported from Iranian missile attacks. In Iran, unlike in Israel, civilians receive no alerts prior to assaults and lack access to protective shelters, causing widespread fear and confusion as missile strikes and bomb attacks are reported across the city.

Distrust in the government runs deep, particularly as citizens question the efficacy of the regime’s defense strategy. Donya, who previously resisted the regime by defying dress codes, finds herself too terrified to leave her home as explosions echo throughout the night. “I take pills to help me relax and try to sleep,” she confessed.

For some, the government’s suggestions to seek refuge in mosques or metro stations are laughable given the unpredictability of attacks. A young woman shared, “Every neighborhood has been affected by the damage.” With uncertainty overshadowing the city, many families have opted to move to safer areas, adhering to a fragile sense of security. "We check the news every hour to ensure our loved ones are safe," she stated solemnly.

Divisions have emerged among the Iranian populace regarding the strikes, with some citizens expressing relief at the regime’s losses while others condemn those celebrating. The atmosphere resembles chaos akin to the Titanic disaster aftermath, where confusion reigns and reactions vary. “Most Iranians now know that freedom and human rights don’t come from foreign bombs,” remarked one protester.

The situation prompts fear of a broader humanitarian crisis, especially as misinformation circulates. “It’s hard to convey what it’s like to be an Iranian right now,” said Dorreh Khatibi-Hill, a UK-based activist. She acknowledged the relief some feel at the demise of regime members, yet lamented the lives lost among innocent civilians. “No one wants Iran to turn into another Iraq, Syria, or Afghanistan. We don’t want this war. We don’t want the regime either.”