
Iranians fear return to war one month after ceasefire with Israel
'I don't think this ceasefire will last,' said Peyman, a 57-year-old resident of Shiraz in southern Iran, one of numerous cities hit last month as Israel unleashed an unprecedented bombing campaign against its longtime rival.
The Israeli offensive targeted key nuclear facilities and military sites, killing top commanders, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of others, while also wreaking havoc in some residential areas. The attacks triggered the fiercest fighting in history between the two adversaries, ending with a ceasefire announced on June 24.
Israel has signaled it could return to fighting if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear facilities or take any action deemed threatening, such as moving to develop a nuclear weapon — an ambition Tehran has consistently denied. Iran, in turn, has vowed to deliver a harsh response if attacked again.
Nuclear diplomacy with the United States — which briefly joined the war with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — has stalled, deepening uncertainty about what lies ahead.
'I am scared the war will start again,' said Hamid, a 54-year-old government employee who gave only his first name. 'It will lead to the death of more innocent people and the destruction of the country's infrastructure.'
During the war, Israel struck major Iranian cities including the capital Tehran, hitting military sites, government buildings, and the state television headquarters. More than 1,000 people were killed in Iran, according to authorities. Retaliatory missile and drone attacks killed 29 people in Israel.
Many residents fled Tehran, seeking refuge elsewhere in the country, even though few regions were untouched by the blasts and smoke-filled skies.
Nearly a month later, a series of fires that broke out across Iran — including one at a major oil facility — have triggered speculation, which officials were quick to dismiss, denying any acts of sabotage.
'This war really frightened me,' said 78-year-old housewife Golandam Babaei from western Kermanshah province. She lived through the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s, a painful memory for many of her generation.
'I kept telling myself, please God, do not let the past repeat itself,' Babaei told AFP.
The war with Israel, although much shorter and fought mostly with air strikes and missiles rather than ground forces, revived grim memories of the conflict with Iraq. That war, triggered by an Iraqi invasion in 1980, killed an estimated 500,000 people on both sides. It featured chemical warfare and prolonged front-line bombardments, scarring Iranians in the then-nascent Islamic Republic born out of the 1979 revolution.
For decades since, Iran had largely managed to keep conflicts away from its own soil. But after the recent 12-day war with Israel, some Iranians feel a renewed sense of vulnerability.
'I kept thinking I don't want to flee again. We have nowhere to go. I cannot run to the mountains like in the past,' said Babaei.
For Ali Khanzadi, a 62-year-old war veteran, the conflict with Israel highlighted a stark difference compared to the 1980s when 'we didn't have any advanced military equipment' to fight the Iraqis.
Khanzadi, who was wounded in battle in 1983, said the war with Israel, while shorter, had a more sinister dimension. Unlike in the past, modern military technology means 'they can kill a child in his sleep remotely using a drone,' he said.
In the face of Israeli threats and attacks, Iranian authorities have repeatedly invoked national unity. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the offensive was aimed at toppling the its clerical system, and urged Iranian diplomats and military leaders to proceed with 'care and precision' as the country cautiously moves forward.
Tehran has said it remains open to nuclear diplomacy with the United States, which the war had derailed, but officials have demanded unspecified US guarantees to resume negotiations.
Ordinary Iranians appear to share fears that conflict could erupt again.
'I hope that this will not happen,' said Hamid.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
5 minutes ago
- Arab News
Syria expected to hold parliamentary election in September, official says
DAMASCUS: Syria is expected to hold its first parliamentary election under the new administration in September, the head of the electoral process told state news agency SANA on Sunday. Voting for the People's Assembly is expected to take place from September 15 to 20, added the official, Mohammed Taha.


Leaders
5 minutes ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause Ahead of Two-State Solution Conference
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized on Sunday that the upcoming high-level conference on the two-state solution in New York reflects Kingdom's firm stance on the Palestinian cause and its continuous efforts to maintain a just and comprehensive peace, according to Al Arabiya. Prince Faisal's remarks come as Saudi Arabia prepares to co-chair, alongside France, a conference this week in order to advance a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. 'We look forward to pushing towards the implementation of international…resolutions that call for the establishment of two states in which the Palestinians can enjoy their independent state, [contributing to] achieving peace and stability for the region, and advancing it towards development and prosperity,' the prince said. Set to take place at the UN headquarters in New York, the conference supports the efforts of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state solution. This alliance represents a remarkable initiative launched by Prince Faisal in September 2024. In this context, he noted that the Kingdom is exerting all its efforts to establish a just peace in the Middle East region under the leadership of King Salman and the follow-up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also stated that Saudi Arabia is striving to 'put an end to the sufferings of Palestinians and to stop the circle of violence.' French President Emmanuel Macron has recently revealed his plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In a response, the Kingdom has commended Macron's step, and the Saudi Foreign Ministry called the announcement 'historic' and urged other countries to follow suit. Related Topics: Israel Announces 'Tactical Pauses' across 3 Parts in Gaza amid Starvation Crisis Canada Condemns Israel over Gaza's 'Humanitarian Disaster' UK to Hold Urgent Talks with France, Germany over Gaza War Short link : Post Views: 8


Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Syria expected to hold parliamentary election in September, official says
Syria is expected to hold its first parliamentary election under the new administration in September, the head of the electoral process told state news agency SANA on Sunday. Voting for the People's Assembly is expected to take place from September 15-20, added the official, Mohammed Taha.