Tehran: Long queues at petrol stations and bakeries, coupled with long lines of cars attempting to flee the capital, have become the new norm for residents of Tehran as they confront fear and confusion following Israel's sudden attack on Iran early Friday morning.
According to BBC, the residents, still reeling from the shocking developments, report feelings of helplessness and conflicting emotions as the situation unfolds.
"We haven't slept for nights," shared a 21-year-old music student through an encrypted social media app, capturing the pervasive anxiety gripping the city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for Iranians to rise against their clerical leadership has drawn mixed responses. One resident firmly stated, "We don't want Israel to save us. No foreign country ever cared for Iran," while expressing a simultaneous desire for change within the regime.
Some Iranians initially felt a "strange excitement" at the sight of powerful Iranian military officials being targeted by Israel. However, as civilian casualties became apparent, sorrow and fear set in. A woman described her growing anger upon learning about the attack on the South Pars gas field, fearing Israel's intent to reduce Iran to ruins. The devastating toll stands at over 220 Iranian casualties, including women and children, with Iranian missiles claiming at least 24 lives in Israel.
The absence of imminent attack warnings and shelters in Iran contrasts sharply with the situation in Israel, where residents have access to protective measures. The panic and confusion have been exacerbated by reports of car bombs in Tehran, as covered by both Israeli and Iranian media outlets, revealing vulnerabilities in Iran's defenses.
Donya, who once defied the regime's dress code, now finds herself taking medication to cope with the terror that accompanies each night. Her university exams have been postponed, and the government's suggestion to seek refuge in mosques and metro stations offers little solace when explosions strike unpredictably.
One young woman articulated the city's widespread impact, noting that every neighborhood has felt the damage. She and her family have relocated to an area away from government buildings for safety. The situation has sown division among families, with some likening it to the chaos following the Titanic's iceberg collision, as people react with varying degrees of urgency and denial.
Despite her opposition to Iran's clerical rulers, another woman condemned Netanyahu's actions, emphasizing that most Iranians, regardless of their stance on the government, recognize that freedom and human rights cannot be delivered by bombs targeting defenseless civilians.
The Iranian diaspora, too, is deeply concerned. Dorreh Khatibi-Hill, a women's rights activist based in Leeds, highlights the challenge of conveying the Iranian experience amidst the crisis. While some celebrate the removal of regime members responsible for oppression, the humanitarian toll is undeniable, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. She warns against Iran becoming another war-torn region like Iraq, Syria, or Afghanistan, as the supreme leader remains in power while Iranians flee for their lives.