Israeli Bombing Intensifies, Fueling Crisis and Unity

The windows of Nahid's home began to shake shortly after 4 pm. An Israeli bomb had struck a nearby building, and smoke quickly filled her house. This marked the third day of Israeli bombing in Iran, and the situation in Tehran was deteriorating rapidly.

Nahid, a 25-year-old finance analyst, described the situation as a massacre, with constant blasts and widespread fear. She reported the cries of children and the pervasive smell of death. Residents began fleeing Tehran on Sunday as the attacks intensified, targeting both residential and government buildings. While official death tolls were unavailable, at least 138 people had been killed and hundreds wounded since Friday.

The bombing campaign began early Friday morning, with Israel claiming its operation aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles, resulting in casualties in Israel, including children.

As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities announced the opening of metro stations and schools as shelters. The city council chair acknowledged the lack of designated shelters and urged civilians to use tunnels and basements for protection.

The intensity of the Israeli assault surprised both the citizens and the government, as Israeli jets operated with relative ease over Iranian airspace. Despite Iranian missile launches, the military appeared unable to halt the Israeli attacks. Nahid expressed concern about the safety of even the designated shelters and planned to encourage her family and neighbors to leave their homes.

Chaos erupted in Tehran's streets as residents rushed to buy food before shops closed. Reza, a university student, described the panic, long lines at petrol stations, and the dangerous conditions outside. The strikes were accompanied by car bombings, reportedly targeting Iranian nuclear scientists, and the mobile phone network failed, hindering communication.

Experts noted that the attack occurred at a critical time for the Iranian government, which had been facing protests and an economic crisis. The economic situation had worsened due to rising prices and the depreciation of the Iranian currency. Sanctions further strained the economy.

The economic crisis and military pressure had pushed the Iranian government towards diplomacy with the US regarding its nuclear program. Iranians used social media to criticize the government's lack of preparedness, sharing videos of officials who had previously dismissed the possibility of an Israeli attack.

Within Iran, state TV downplayed the impact of the Israeli attacks. Despite the criticism, the sense of being under attack fostered a sense of unity among some Iranians. Hadi, a Tehran resident in his 60s, noted that even those initially opposed to nuclear weapons now felt Iran needed them for self-defense. He emphasized that Iranians tend to unite when facing foreign aggression.