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Tehran under sustained bombardment since late February
Residents of Iran's capital describe unprecedented destruction and fear as airstrikes by the United States and Israel target military and political sites in an effort to weaken the Islamic regime. The attacks, which began on 28 February, have left neighborhoods shattered and civilians trapped indoors.
Civilian casualties and infrastructure collapse
Iranian officials reported that over 160 people, including children, were killed when a girls' school in the southern city of Minab was struck on Saturday. The White House stated it is investigating the incident but denied targeting civilians. Meanwhile, Tehran residents say the intensity of the strikes surpasses even the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last year.
Salar, a Tehran resident whose name has been changed for safety, described the situation as "unbelievable." His home has been shaken by explosions, forcing him to leave windows open to prevent glass from shattering. "Each day has felt like a month," he said. "The volume of attacks is so high."
Security crackdown and economic strain
With most residents confined to their homes, the regime has deployed additional security forces, setting up checkpoints across the city. A 25-year-old student in Tehran told BBC Persian that authorities appear "scared of their own shadows," while others noted a heavy police presence following public celebrations over the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Economic disruptions have worsened the crisis. Prices for staples like eggs and potatoes have surged, and queues for petrol and bread stretch for hours. Salar reported that many shops are closed, cash machines are out of service, and supermarkets and bakeries operate under strict restrictions. "Tehran feels empty," one resident said. "Anyone leaving home must have an urgent reason."
Threats, blackouts, and dwindling hope
Iran's government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, sending SMS warnings to residents threatening harsh consequences for those who protest. "If anyone among you goes out and protests, we consider you Israeli collaborators," one message read. Salar interpreted the tone as a threat of violence or even death.
Internet blackouts have compounded the isolation, making it nearly impossible for Iranians to contact loved ones or access independent news. Kaveh, a resident of Zanjan-a city 275 km northeast of Tehran-recalled losing his connection for two days. "Survival is the priority," he said, "but staying in touch with family and finding reliable information is almost as critical."
Both Salar and Kaveh rely on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass government censorship, though connections are unreliable. Kaveh uses his limited online access to relay messages for friends abroad who have lost contact with their families.
Mixed reactions to Khamenei's reported death
The death of Ayatollah Khamenei in the initial wave of strikes has elicited conflicting responses. While some Iranians celebrated in the streets, others participated in state-organized mourning ceremonies. Kaveh, who initially struggled to process the news, said the moment felt hollow. "I had always imagined that moment would feel like happiness, but it didn't," he said. "Almost all the years of my life and the lives of millions like me were destroyed-and yet he was removed in a single moment. It made me truly angry."
Salar noted that the atmosphere in Tehran remains tense, with security forces maintaining a heavy presence. "The city is under lockdown," he said. "We're waiting for the grand moment, the final moment, when we all go out and we will be victorious."
Uncertain future amid escalating conflict
As strikes continue, many Iranians are fleeing the capital, though not everyone has the means to leave. Salar sent his parents north but remains unsure which cities are safe. His mother, who lived through the eight-year Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, told him the current situation is worse. "My friend's grandmother is ill, and they can't move her," he added.
Kaveh, who described the skies over Zanjan as perpetually clouded with smoke from bombings, said the war "won't end as quickly as we thought." Yet, he added, "my hope hasn't decreased. If anything, it grows stronger each day."
Salar expressed frustration with exiled Iranians, particularly monarchists supporting the US and Israeli strikes. "They really don't know what we are experiencing," he said. "I hope they never have to."
"I don't know what will happen after this 'operation,' but without it, something worse would definitely have happened. This way, at least there is still a chance for life and for tomorrow."
Kaveh, resident of Zanjan
