Anxiety Grows Among Iranians Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

The ongoing confrontation between Israel and Iran has left many citizens in Tehran feeling anxious and uncertain about the future, as the hope for a swift resolution diminishes amid escalating attacks.

As the violence escalates in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, fear and anxiety permeate the lives of many Iranian citizens. Initially hopeful that the conflict would be a short-lived affair, residents of Tehran are beginning to brace themselves for a potentially prolonged struggle as fresh strikes disrupt their lives.

In recent communications, individuals from Tehran shared their experiences with The New York Times, highlighting the tumultuous environment they find themselves living in. Due to security concerns, they requested to remain identified only by their first names. Witnessing missiles soar through the sky and the devastation they leave behind has been harrowing, as described by Behzed, a 40-year-old copyright expert. She observed the aftermath of an Israeli attack on a fuel depot from her rooftop, noting, "The explosion was clearly visible, its glow illuminating the nearby mountain."

Ali, a 43-year-old engineer, reflected on the terror of the first nights of the attacks, initially thinking it would be a temporary ordeal. However, as the bombardments continued, sleep became elusive. He expressed his attempts to shield his young children from the grim realities of war by avoiding the news and carefully selecting his words. Despite hoping for a swift resolution, he acknowledged that the rising death toll was hitting disturbingly close to home.

Echoing Ali's sentiments, Arash, a 42-year-old psychologist, remarked that this conflict feels markedly different from prior skirmishes with Israel. Unlike previous instances that had periods of reprieve, he noted, "Now, life feels like it’s on hold." The uncertainty is exacerbated by restrictions on internet access, which has left residents scrambling for information and seeking ways to secure virtual private networks to bypass these limitations.

As the conflict persists, some Iranians are releasing their frustrations, directing anger toward leadership figures both in Israel and within their own government. Sepideh, a teacher, attributed the country's economic struggles to "misguided decisions" by Iranian leaders that have exacerbated issues like inflation and sanctions. She reported seeing videos circulating on social media of individuals celebrating the Israeli strikes, believing that targeting Iranian authorities might lead to their liberation, even at the expense of national resources.