Tehran Neighborhoods Empty as Israel and Iran Engage in Ongoing Barrage Exchanges

Neighborhoods in Tehran are witnessing a significant exodus as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies. The violence includes missile and drone strikes, causing many residents to remain indoors out of fear. Sima, a resident of the affluent Sa’adat Abad district, shared with NBC News that shops are shuttered and people are scared, indicating a pervasive sense of dread in the capital. Reports reveal that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 639 people in Iran, with more than 2,500 injured as confirmed by the Iranian health ministry.

Conversely, 24 fatalities in Israel are attributed to Iranian fire. Despite President Donald Trump’s call for Tehran’s 10 million residents to evacuate, Sima remains in her home, expressing an optimistic belief that the Israeli military seeks to target nuclear sites rather than harm ordinary citizens. Israel’s military operations have focused on nuclear facilities and officials, citing intelligence that suggests Iran is advancing toward nuclear armament—a claim Iran denies. Current U.S. assessments indicate no shift in Iran’s nuclear ambitions since March.

Sima previously participated in protests against government actions following the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody, an event that sparked widespread dissent. While many protestors faced violent crackdowns, Sima now perceives an opportunity for regime change amid the current conflict, as protests against the government begin to resurface. Conversely, another resident from Karaj, a suburb of Tehran, believes that national unity will prevail in light of foreign aggression. He warns against perspectives that promote regime change as he feels the majority of Iranians, weary of instability, desire peace.

As the conflict escalates, fears of retaliation loom large, complicating the attitudes people have toward the ongoing violence. As explosions erupt, families scramble to communicate with loved ones. Azam Jangravi, an Iranian human rights advocate now living in Canada, recounts receiving disturbing messages from her cousin in Tehran, encapsulating the emotional turmoil and fear felt by many inside Iran. Meanwhile, an internet blackout has made it increasingly difficult for Iranians to connect, leaving them caught in a geopolitical conflict that continues to evolve.