Residents across Iran are facing days of fear and uncertainty as air strikes continue in several parts of the country. In the capital, Tehran, locals describe a tense and dangerous situation as attacks launched by the United States and Israel since 28 February target military and political facilities in an effort to weaken the Islamic government.
According to several residents, the sound of explosions has become constant. Salar, a Tehran resident whose name has been changed for safety reasons, says the scale of destruction is hard to comprehend. He explains that the power of the strikes often causes buildings to shake.
Iranian officials reported that at least 160 people, including children, were killed on Saturday when a girls’ school was struck in the city of Minab. The White House has said the United States does not deliberately target civilians and that the incident is being investigated.
Since the start of the fighting, more than 1,100 civilians have reportedly been killed, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRNA). The conflict has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure in several Iranian cities.
Daily life in Tehran has been severely disrupted. Many residents are staying indoors and only leaving their homes to buy essential goods. Numerous shops are closed, some cash machines are not working, and long queues have formed for fuel and bread.
Security forces have also increased their presence across the capital. Checkpoints have been set up in various districts, which some residents believe is an attempt to prevent protests following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Some residents say the authorities are sending warning messages to discourage public gatherings. According to these accounts, people have received SMS alerts stating that anyone taking part in demonstrations could be treated as a collaborator with Israel.
Communication has become more difficult due to frequent internet shutdowns. Many Iranians are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions and stay in contact with relatives or access news from outside the country.
Other cities have also experienced heavy attacks. In Zanjan, about 275 kilometres from Tehran, residents say fighter jets have regularly flown overhead during the first days of the conflict. Smoke from explosions has often filled the sky following the strikes.
Some families have chosen to leave Tehran in search of safer areas, though relocation is not possible for everyone. Health conditions, transportation difficulties, and limited information have prevented many people from moving.
The death of the Supreme Leader has triggered mixed reactions within the country. While some citizens celebrated in the streets, others attended mourning gatherings organised by authorities.
For many Iranians, the future remains uncertain. Some fear the conflict could continue for a long time, while others believe the current situation could eventually lead to political change. Despite the hardship, several residents say they still hold hope for a better future.
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