Tehran and other parts of Iran have been under near-constant air strikes since February 28, as US and Israeli forces target military and political sites to weaken the regime.
The attacks have also caused civilian casualties, including more than 160 people killed when a girls’ school was hit in Minab.
Residents describe life in the city as terrifying. “Each day feels like a month,” says Salar, a Tehran resident, recalling a recent strike that shook his home.
Many are forced to leave windows open to prevent glass from shattering. Shops remain mostly closed, while queues for essentials like petrol, eggs, and bread have grown extraordinarily long.
Tehran has seen heightened security measures, including checkpoints and patrolling forces.
Authorities have reportedly sent warning messages, threatening force against those who protest or defy restrictions.
“They consider anyone outside a potential Israeli collaborator,” Salar explains.
In Zanjan, a city 275km northeast of Tehran, Kaveh describes heavy bombardment and smoke-filled skies.
Both men rely on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access information, as internet blackouts limit contact with loved ones and restrict independent news.
“We try to update friends outside Iran,” Kaveh says, highlighting the struggle to maintain communication.
While some citizens initially celebrated the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others mourned or struggled to process the news.
The ongoing attacks have left many fearful for their families, with uncertainty about the war’s outcome.
“I doubt any of us will ever be the same as before,” Salar adds, emphasizing the psychological toll.
Despite the fear, hope persists. Kaveh believes the conflict “won’t end quickly, but there is still a chance for life and for tomorrow.”
For many Iranians, survival now means coping with destruction, restricted freedoms, and an unpredictable future.
