Iranians Describe Life Under Escalating US-Israeli Military Campaign
Residents across Iran are reporting that daily life has grown increasingly tense and uncertain as the United States and Israel intensify their military campaign against the country. People living in Tehran described a city filled with fear, smoke, and profound silence as airstrikes continue and uncertainty grows over the direction of the war.
Escalating Conflict and Leadership Transition
The conflict has escalated dramatically in recent days, particularly after Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named Iran's new supreme leader following his father's death during the opening phase of the US-Israeli attacks. This decision by Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body of senior clerics responsible for choosing the country's highest authority, has caused strong reactions among many Iranians.
Over the weekend, Israeli strikes hit several oil depots in Tehran, sparking massive fires that sent thick black smoke billowing across the capital. Residents stated these attacks were among the heaviest bombardments since the war began on February 28. Although rain helped reduce some of the smoke from the burning oil facilities, the acrid smell and haze continued to linger in parts of the city throughout Monday.
Empty Streets and Disrupted Daily Life
People living in Tehran told reporters that the streets were unusually quiet on Monday, with many residents having either left the city or choosing to stay indoors out of fear of further airstrikes. "The city is almost emptied out. Shops are open hoping against hope for customers. But many have left Tehran," said a resident identified as Amir. "It's mostly silence unless there's an attack."
Another resident described the atmosphere in the capital as tense despite the quieter streets. "The air is heavy," she wrote on social media. "Tehran smells of smoke, of metal and fuel and a city trapped under a giant glass dome. The streets are emptier than ever, but the city isn't calm."
Reports from people on the ground suggest that daily routines have been heavily disrupted:
- Bakeries have seen exceptionally long lines as people stock up on essentials
- Checkpoints and security patrols have increased significantly across Tehran
- Communicating with people inside Iran has become difficult due to widespread internet restrictions imposed by the government
- Some residents have managed brief access to the outside world using satellite internet services and virtual private networks
Mixed Reactions to New Leadership and Conflict
The announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment has generated complex reactions among Iranians. Some residents who spoke anonymously said they were shocked by the decision and worried it could make the conflict harder to resolve. Many believe the new leader, widely viewed as a hardline figure, may continue the same strict policies and confrontational stance as his father.
"Most of us feel entrapped between an oppressive regime and warmonger nutters in Israel and the U.S.," Amir said. "The hardliners have succeeded in putting their own man in power at a time when civil society has little influence."
Despite this criticism, the government still appears to maintain strong support among its conservative base. Thousands of people gathered in several cities to celebrate Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment as the country's new leader. Simultaneously, security forces have strengthened their presence in Tehran, with reports of paramilitary units, plainclothes officers, and anti-riot forces deployed at key locations across the city.
Human Cost and Divergent Perspectives
The war has already caused significant casualties, with Iranian officials reporting more than a thousand people killed since the bombing campaign began. One of the deadliest incidents occurred when a missile struck a school in the southern city of Minab, killing more than 160 schoolgirls. Several media investigations have suggested that a US weapon may have been responsible for the strike, although former President Donald Trump has blamed Iran.
While many residents fear the war will bring more destruction, others see the conflict as an opportunity for change. Some Iranians have expressed support for the attacks, hoping they could weaken the Islamic Republic and open the door for political reform.
"Everyone in Iran rejoiced over Khamenei's death, especially families whose children were killed in protests," one woman said, adding that she sees the conflict as a possible path toward freedom.
However, some analysts warn that the worst outcome could be a prolonged war that devastates the country while leaving the current government still in power. As the conflict continues to escalate, ordinary Iranians find themselves navigating an increasingly precarious existence between military threats and political uncertainty.
