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In recent intensified attacks by Israel on Iran's capital Tehran, residents have expressed shock and confusion. Gas stations and bakeries are crowded with people trying to escape the city, while streets are congested with vehicles as citizens search for safety. Many share their struggles and anxieties. A 21-year-old music student named Donya declared she and her family wouldn't flee, believing it more dignified to die at home. "I really don't want my beautiful Tehran to become like Gaza," she stated, having witnessed the devastation Israel wrought in Gaza.

In the wake of the sudden escalation, numerous Iranians report feeling intense fear and helplessness. One woman recounted her feelings of strange excitement upon hearing of Israeli attacks on Iranian commanders, but that changed to grief and fear upon learning that ordinary civilians were also being killed. According to official estimates, over 220 people have died since last Friday, with many casualties being women and children. These figures contribute to the overall unease among Iranians, who understand that any civilian opinion differing from the government may place them at risk of being targeted.

Unlike Israel, Iran lacks immediate air raid alert systems and safe shelters for civilians. Bombs are falling without warning, and the mere mention of car bomb attacks has fueled panic further as both Israeli and Iranian media report these events. Some supporters of the ruling government express dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the incompetence of the defense systems.

Donya has previously flouted the strict dress codes imposed by the government, often appearing in public without her hair covered, but she has chosen to stay home during her delayed university exams. "I really feel scared at night," she said, "I take some medication to help me relax and try to sleep." The Iranian government suggests citizens seek refuge in mosques or subway stations, but this is not practical when explosions occur unexpectedly.

Another young woman expressed that while she has always opposed the theocratic regime, she finds Netanyahu's actions against Iran inexcusable, especially since the attacks primarily target unarmed civilians. Her accounts describe how many lives have dramatically changed due to the conflict. Nevertheless, she understands that true freedom and human rights cannot be expected from the bombs of foreign powers.

The Iranian diaspora also feels tremendous concern for their families back home, with many yearning for accurate information on the current situation. In an account from Dorreh Khatibi-Hill, a women's rights advocate residing in the UK, she reflects on how difficult it is to describe the current emotions of Iranians, torn between feeling relief at the potential elimination of oppressive regime members and the grief over civilian losses. More and more Iranians fear that the situation in Tehran may worsen, leading to a greater humanitarian disaster.

The attacks by Israel have not only caused panic but have also instigated divisions within Iranian society. Some Iranians feel a sense of relief at the government’s losses, while others are outraged by the supporters of Israel. Consequently, the attitudes of many citizens continue to shift, with even family members experiencing serious ideological divides. Underlining this chaos, the safety of Tehran’s residents has become a gamble, with a pervasive sense of pain and trepidation regarding the uncertainty of the future.