"Stuck" is how many residents of Tehran are describing their current reality as Israel continues its wave of airstrikes targeting Iran. For the past three days, fear has gripped the city, prompting countless residents to seek refuge outside the capital. However, as one individual recounted to BBC News Persian, "everyone is trying to escape one way or another." Long queues for petrol formed across Tehran as people attempted to flee to remote areas, only to be immobilized by traffic.
A resident voiced her frustration, stating, "Tehran isn't safe, clearly. There are no alarms or warnings; we only hear the blasts and hope our homes aren't next.” The feeling of entrapment is palpable, with residents unsure where to find safety. One individual who escaped to a neighboring province admitted, “I don’t think I’ve fully processed that I’m living in an active war zone.”
Since the onset of Israel's aerial attacks—reported as the most severe in years—there has been retaliatory missile fire from Iran. According to Israeli authorities, at least ten lives have been lost in their territory, while Iranian media reported over 120 fatalities resulting from the strikes by midday on Saturday.
As residents navigate this turmoil, many are haunted by memories of conflict. One woman drew parallels between the current situation and her childhood experiences during the Iran-Iraq war. She remarked, “Back then, at least we had sirens or warnings. Now, there’s nothing.” The unpredictability of the airstrikes has left many, particularly the youth who did not experience past conflicts, in a state of bewilderment.
Notably, with connectivity issues plaguing the internet service in Iran, communication with loved ones outside of the country has become increasingly challenging. Amid calls for unity from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed at the Iranian public, there appears to be little motivating residents to heed his messages as their focus remains solely on securing their safety.
The recent airstrikes have not only taken a toll on military infrastructure but have also led to distressing devastation of residential buildings—scenes reminiscent of wartime destruction that many had hoped were behind them. Amid the chaos and confusion surrounding the attacks, Tehran's residents are left to navigate this crisis with a mix of fear and an indomitable desire to endure.
