Night of Terror: Eyewitness Accounts of Israel's Strikes on Iran

In a startling escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, over 200 Israeli warplanes launched extensive bombings across Iran, igniting memories of past wars. Eyewitnesses describe chaotic scenes filled with explosions and mass fear, as residents grapple with the immediate aftermath of the strikes.

In a shocking turn of events, on the night of June 13, 2025, Iran experienced unprecedented escalations in the long-standing conflict with Israel, as over 200 Israeli warplanes unleashed a flurry of bombings across several cities, sending shockwaves through the nation. This aggressive military action, reminiscent of the Iran-Iraq war, has left many Iranians bewildered and terrified, as they grapple with the surreal reality of widespread destruction around them.

Residents in Tehran and other major cities reported a cacophony of blasts that pierced the night air, rousing them from their sleep. Shakiba, a 37-year-old occupational therapist, shared her experience amidst flickering internet service. Feeling the compound anxiety of an unprepared nation, she noted, “The first sound was really shocking, because we were not ready, we were not expecting it.” As she looked out her window, she witnessed neighbors gathered on their roofs, sharing in the confusion and fear surrounding them.

Many individuals, unable to reach loved ones, took to social media and voice notes to express their trepidation. Shakiba recounted a tense phone call with an elderly couple in her care, who were unable to evacuate their home due to health complications. “The woman just cried by the phone, saying ‘I was really afraid because we can’t move,’” Shakiba recalled. Her desperate attempts to reassure them echoed a poignant truth; even she felt uncertain about the future, stating, “I just try to make her sure that it will not happen again, but I was not sure about this myself.”

The reverberations of this attack will likely have lasting implications on Iran-Israel relations and may shape the political landscape in the region for years to come. As fear grips the nation, the coming days may reveal the deeper emotional and social consequences of this brutal onslaught.