Tehran, June 18, (dpa/GNA) – As Israel and Iran exchange strikes for a fifth consecutive day, large parts of the Iranian capital have fallen eerily silent.
Tehran, usually teeming with life, now resembles a ghost town in areas, gripped by tension, fear and uncertainty — heightened by an appeal from US President Donald Trump urging residents of the city of some 10 million people to flee to safety.
The conflict began Friday with Israel, launching attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. Iran hit back at its arch-rival with missile and drone strikes of its own, with civilians in both countries facing waves of heavy fire.
Many of those fleeing the Tehran area are heading north toward the Caspian Sea, to smaller towns in the countryside, or toward Iran’s borders.
Once-busy streets now lie quiet. Some supermarkets remain open, but shelves are largely bare. Power outages and water cuts have been reported, while restaurants are shuttered and air conditioning has failed in many areas — despite sweltering temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.
Still, not everyone has left. Some have stayed behind, either unable or unwilling to flee.
“Most apartments are empty,” says Ramin, 34, who runs a shop in a small bazaar. He sent his parents to the countryside but chose to remain. “I stayed to look after the house,” he says.
Speaking by phone on Tuesday, he adds: “I have a strange feeling, neither happy nor sad. I am dissatisfied with the regime, but I don’t want war either.”
Mohammed-Reza, 27, a supermarket worker, continues to go to work despite the air raids.
“I hear explosions all the time, but we have to keep going,” he says.
“To be honest, business has actually improved,” he adds with a quick laugh. “Before, no one wanted day-old bread, but now we’re even selling frozen bread.” He has begun rationing supplies to ensure everyone gets something.
Speculation is mounting over whether the United States will become directly involved in the conflict. Trump’s message urging Tehran’s population to “immediately” leave drew expressions of dread and outrage on social media.
It remains unclear how many have already fled the capital, but the unusually blue sky above the typically smog-choked city suggests a significant exodus.
GNA