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Family gatherings turn tense amid Iran strikes
A bitter exchange between a brother and sister near Tehran reflects the widening fractures among Iranians as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue. Witnesses describe how long-standing political differences have erupted into personal conflicts, reshaping relationships during the month-long conflict.
Nowruz celebrations marred by conflict
During the Persian New Year celebrations in late March, Sina, a young Iranian opposed to the ruling regime, watched as his uncle-a member of the Basij militia-refused to acknowledge his own sister, a government critic. The confrontation left the uncle visibly shaken, prompting him to leave the gathering early.
Sina, whose name has been changed for safety, said his uncle had avoided family events in recent years but unexpectedly attended this year's Nowruz. Their strained relationship dates back to the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for allegedly violating hijab rules. Since then, Sina says he has barely spoken to his uncle.
"We don't talk to him, nor to his children," Sina said.
Generational divides over war and regime change
Young Iranians describe how the conflict has intensified existing divisions. Kaveh, another regime opponent in Tehran, spent Nowruz alone after a fight with his sister, a Basij member. He had provided internet access to friends and family using Starlink, a satellite service banned in Iran. When he returned from a brief absence, he found his sister had disabled the connection.
"I can't stand her anymore... I just had a fight and left," Kaveh said over an encrypted call.
Despite the risks, some Iranians continue to share their experiences with international media, though most remain offline due to government-imposed internet blackouts. Those who manage to stay connected describe adapting their routines-practicing yoga amid explosions, celebrating birthdays in isolation, and visiting near-empty cafes.
Opposition figures spark further disagreement
Even among regime critics, opinions on the war vary sharply. Maral, a student in Rasht, says her father's support for Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince, has deepened their rift. Pahlavi, who lives in the U.S., has framed the strikes as a "humanitarian intervention" and urged continued U.S. action, a stance that has gained traction among some protesters.
"I just want this war to end as soon as possible," Maral said. "Many ordinary people have died."
Her father, however, remains optimistic, dismissing her concerns by repeating Pahlavi's promises of rapid reconstruction. Maral accuses him of being influenced by "Israeli propaganda" that envisions future friendship between the two nations.
Casualties and shifting perspectives
The human cost of the strikes has begun to soften some hardline views. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports 1,900 deaths in Iran, while the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates over 3,400, including 1,500 civilians.
Tara, a Tehran resident in her 20s, says her family initially criticized her opposition to the war, arguing she lacked personal losses from the 2022 protests. But after a nearby strike, her sister's stance shifted, with a simple plea: "I hope the war finishes soon."
Despite their differences, Tara says her family still moves together, fearing collective harm if an attack occurs. "That way, we would all die together if they hit us," she said.
