Tehran on Edge as Air Strikes Continue: Residents Seek Answers Amid Uncertainty

As air strikes by Israeli jets rain down on Tehran, many residents, including those stuck in the capital, are left questioning their safety and the future amid confusion and dwindling supplies.

In recent days, Tehran has found itself under a tumultuous wave of air strikes carried out by Israeli military jets, leaving many residents in distress as they seek clarity on the unsettling events unfolding around them. Communication lines remain tenuous but active, allowing a glimpse into the fears and concerns of those trapped in the capital, including my sister, who anxiously reaches out to me, a journalist with the BBC in London.

“What should we do?” she asks, her voice trembling with uncertainty. U.S. President Donald Trump's evacuation advisories have only stoked her worries. “Is he serious?” she wonders aloud, as she gazes out from her apartment, witnessing the chaos of anti-aircraft fire battling against Israeli bombers overhead, often to little avail.

Simultaneously, an order has emerged from the Israeli military, urging residents in her district to evacuate the area—a demand that has led to mass exodus across the city. Despite the rising tension, my sister is determined to stay put, fearing the unknown and having nowhere else to escape to.

She explains that she believes no military targets exist nearby, although a commercial unit thought to be linked to the Revolutionary Guards is a looming concern. Many residents share her apprehension, lacking awareness of their neighbors or the potential presence of military operations nearby due to the clandestine nature of the Revolutionary Guards’ activities.

Meanwhile, Tehran's Grand Bazaar is eerily empty, with shuttered shops reflecting the grim reality on the ground. Basic necessities like food and water are becoming scarce; closures of bakeries and markets proliferate as many shopkeepers either flee or shut down under the pressure of dwindling supplies. Electricity and water still flow in parts of the city, but the once-bustling streets are oddly quiet as residents limit their movements in fear of attacks.

Reports indicate that while the traffic out of Tehran has lessened, chaos reigns as those remaining grapple with fuel shortages and panic. A lingering fear also surrounds nearby nuclear sites with recent Israeli bombings, as residents worry about potential radioactive contamination despite assurances from the International Atomic Energy Agency that radiation levels remain stable.

With many relying on expatriate Persian-language networks for news and information due to lagging internet speeds, questions about the conflict's direction and duration loom large. President Trump has called for a capitulation from Iran, contrasting sharply with a resolute declaration from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insisting the nation will not back down.

Despite widespread discontent toward the regime, a pervasive sense of trepidation stirs among the populace, as many anticipate that destabilization could lead to widespread chaos. The situation in Tehran remains fluid, with families grappling to understand what the coming days may bring amidst the haunting sound of jets overhead.