"The recent Israeli attacks on Tehran have left residents in a state of panic and confusion, grappling with fear for their safety while navigating the complex emotions surrounding the conflict. With over 220 deaths reported in Iran and a mounting humanitarian crisis, many are left questioning their loyalties and the hopes for peace."
"Tehran Residents in Shock: Fears Mount as Conflict with Israel Escalates"

"Tehran Residents in Shock: Fears Mount as Conflict with Israel Escalates"
"Amidst Israeli airstrikes, Iranians express deep distress and uncertainty about their future as tensions soar."
As the skies over Tehran darken with the fallout from escalating conflict, residents of the Iranian capital are facing unprecedented levels of fear and uncertainty. Since the early morning attack by Israeli forces on Friday, the lives of many Iranians have been turned upside down. Long lines at fuel stations and bakeries, coupled with the mass exodus from the city, paint a picture of a population in crisis.
Speaking through secure messaging apps, residents are sharing their harrowing experiences. A 21-year-old music student, who withheld her real name for safety, conveyed the prevailing dread in the community: "We haven't slept for nights. Everyone is leaving, but I'm not. My dad says it's more honourable to die in your own house than to run away."
As bombs fall, the ongoing war permeates every facet of life in Tehran. An overwhelming sense of helplessness is exacerbated by the realization that no warnings precede the missile strikes. With more than 220 casualties confirmed, including many women and children, the reality of war is palpable. One woman described the initial thrill she felt upon seeing Iranian military leaders targeted. However, that sentiment quickly dissipated when news of civilian deaths began to surface, prompting her to reflect on the chilling nature of the attacks.
Further complicating the public's emotions is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for an uprising against Iran's clerical regime. "We also don't want the Islamic Republic," stated a young resident who echoed the sentiment of many—that foreign intervention has never genuinely supported the Iranian people. As the psychological toll of the bombardment mounts, Iranians find themselves questioning their emotional reactions and loyalties.
Amid an atmosphere of chaos, where even supporters of the government express dissatisfaction with its defense strategies, residents abandon the streets by night in search of safety. The government's suggestive tactics for coping, like using mosques and subway stations as shelters, fall flat against the bombings that remain unpredictable.
The collective anxiety also spreads beyond Iran's borders. Dorreh Khatibi-Hill, a women’s rights activist based in Leeds, voiced concern for her friends and family back home, emphasizing the disjointed emotions felt by many. She explained, "You're happy that members of the regime are being taken out. But we know that civilians are dying. This is a devastating humanitarian disaster."
As the conflict rages on, Iranians grapple with the implications of war on their identities and futures. Many now pack essentials, unsure of what horrors await them, while feeling the unsettling realization that their lives may never return to the relative normalcy they once knew. "Most of us are scared and worried about what's coming next," one woman concluded, underscoring a collective yearning for peace and stability amid chaos.