The atmosphere in Tehran is fraught with fear and uncertainty, as residents endure repeated Israeli airstrikes. Despite a faltering WhatsApp connection, the narrator’s sister conveys her distress from her high-rise apartment in the Iranian capital.
As a BBC journalist in London, the narrator is pressed for answers she cannot definitively provide. Warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump urging evacuation add to the confusion and panic among civilians, though it’s unclear how seriously they should be taken.
Tehran Endures Airstrikes As Civilians Face Shortages, Fear And Uncertain Evacuation Options
Israeli military aircraft dominate Tehran’s skies, largely unchallenged by ineffective anti-aircraft fire. Residents like the narrator’s sister can see and hear the bombardments clearly. Although her area has been ordered to evacuate, she chooses to remain, uncertain of where she could go.
While there are no known military installations nearby, suspicions about a Revolutionary Guard-owned facility heighten her anxiety. The covert nature of such installations means civilians often don’t know if they’re living near potential targets.
Tehran Gripped by Fear as Israeli Airstrikes, Shortages, and Radioactive Fears Upend Civilian LifeAs the strikes persist, basic services like electricity and water remain available, but the city’s commercial life is deteriorating rapidly. Food is becoming scarce, shops are closing, and even bakeries have shut down, either due to a lack of supplies or owners fleeing the city.
Although millions have already left, those remaining, including the narrator’s sister, often lack the means or destination for escape. Roads that were once gridlocked are now ominously quiet, as fear of attacks keeps people indoors.
Radioactive Fears and Political Tensions Deepen as Iranians Seek Truth Beyond Borders
In addition to conventional attacks, there’s a growing concern over potential radioactive contamination. Israeli strikes have targeted nuclear facilities, causing fear among those living nearby. While the global nuclear watchdog reports no immediate radioactive danger outside the damaged sites, the psychological toll is considerable.
Residents are left grappling with uncertainty, unsure of the extent of the threat or the potential long-term consequences of the conflict.
With limited access to reliable domestic news, many Iranians turn to international Persian-language media like BBC Persian. Website traffic has surged despite sluggish internet speeds, underscoring the public’s desperate need for trustworthy information.
Amid this turmoil, political rhetoric escalates: Trump demands Iran’s surrender, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vows resistance. Ordinary citizens, caught in the middle, largely distrust the regime but fear that its collapse could plunge the nation into deeper chaos and instability.