Latest news with #MehdiChamran
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘There's a smell of death in the air': chaos in Tehran as residents try to flee or find shelter
It was just past 4pm when Nahid's* windows began to shake. An Israeli bomb hit a building nearby – she could not see where – and soon her house began to fill up with smoke. It was the third day of Israeli bombing of Iran and the situation in Tehran was just getting worse. 'This is a massacre. The blasts haven't stopped. Children are crying and we fear many civilians have been killed. There's a smell of death in the air. I can't stop crying,' Nahid*, a 25-year-old finance analyst at an e-commerce company in Tehran, told the Guardian via text. Residents began to flee Tehran and head towards the countryside on Sunday as Israeli attacks on the Iranian capital escalated, with bombs raining down on residential and government buildings alike. Authorities gave no official death toll, but at least 138 people have been killed and hundreds wounded by strikes on Iran since Friday. The bombing started early on Friday morning when Israel launched hundreds of strikes in what it said was an operation aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran quickly responded with a barrage of ballistic missiles and has continued to hit Israel, killing 10 people, including three children, in strikes on residential buildings on Saturday night. As the conflict continued to escalate, Iranian authorities announced they would open Tehran's metro stations and schools to use as shelters. 'Unfortunately, we in Tehran and in other cities do not have shelters,' said Mehdi Chamran, the chair of the city council, as he urged civilians to use tunnels and basements as makeshift bomb shelters. The ferocity of the Israeli assault caught Iran's citizens and government by surprise, as Israel's jets flew with virtual freedom over Iranian skies. While Iranian missiles flew towards Israel, its military seemed incapable of stopping Israeli attacks. 'We are not confident mosques, schools or metro stations will be safe. What if we get buried under? My sisters and I are going to urge my parents and neighbours to leave home,' Nahid said. There were scenes of chaos on Tehran's streets as residents rushed to buy food amid bombings before shops shut. 'People are running around in the streets and screaming. It's extremely dangerous to step outside now but we don't have an option,' said Reza*, a student at the University of Tehran. The 21-year-old described long lines at petrol stations as he and others filled their cars before making the journey out of the city. While residents queued for fuel, or for cash at ATMs, a sense of panic began to spread as the strikes were joined by car-bombings, reportedly targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. People struggled to contact their loved ones as Iran's mobile phone network failed, giving only sporadic coverage. Experts said Israel's attack had come at a critical point for the Iranian government, which has been rocked by protests in recent years and by a deepening economic crisis. 'This war comes at a most acute situation domestically, because we have the gravest economic crisis for decades,' said Dr Ali Fathollah-Nejad, the founder and director of the Center for Middle East and Global Order. Prices of food and other essential goods have rocketed over the past year as the Iran's currency, the rial, rapidly depreciated. Trump quickly signed an executive order after retaking office in January that tightened sanctions against Iran, choking off oil exports from the already beleaguered economy. Fathollah-Nejad said the economic crisis had been one of the key factors alongside military pressure that pushed the Iranian government towards diplomacy with the US, with which it had been negotiating over its nuclear programme for the past couple of months. Iranians took to social media to mock the government's lack of preparedness, sharing videos of top military officials saying Israel would never dare to attack Iran. Officials had previously trumpeted Iran's ability to deter strikes through its fierce military capabilities. Within Iran, state TV replayed footage of Iranian strikes on Israel and played down the impact of Israeli attacks. The feeling of being under attack has prompted a sense of unity among some Iranians. 'We have been hearing the rumours of regime change, especially by the Israelis and Americans. It seems more like a joke,' said Hadi*, a Tehran resident in his 60s. He added that among his friends, those who were initially against Iran developing nuclear weapons now felt the country needed an atomic arsenal to defend itself from Israel. 'Many Iranians may criticise the government and object to the strategies, but history has proven that Iranians unite when attacked by a foreign country,' Hadi said. * Some names have been changed
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘There's a smell of death in the air': chaos in Tehran as residents try to flee or find shelter
It was just past 4pm when Nahid's windows began to shake. An Israeli bomb hit a building nearby – he could not see where – and soon his house began to fill up with smoke. It was the third day of Israeli bombing of Iran and the situation in Tehran was just getting worse. 'This is a massacre. The blasts haven't stopped. Children are crying and we fear many civilians have been killed. There's a smell of death in the air. I can't stop crying,' Nahid*, a 25-year-old finance analyst at an e-commerce company in Tehran, told the Guardian via text. Residents began to flee Tehran and head towards the countryside on Sunday as Israeli attacks on the Iranian capital escalated, with bombs raining down on the residential buildings and government buildings alike. Authorities gave no official death toll, but at least 138 people have been killed and hundreds wounded by strikes on Iran since Friday. The bombing started early on Friday morning when Israel launched hundreds of strikes in what it said was an operation aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran quickly responded with a barrage of ballistic missiles and has continued to hit Israel, killing 10 people, including three children, in strikes on residential buildings on Saturday night. As the conflict continued to escalate, Iranian authorities announced they would open Tehran's metro stations and schools to use as shelters. 'Unfortunately, we in Tehran and in other cities do not have shelters,' said Mehdi Chamran, the chair of the city council, as he urged civilians to use tunnels and basements as makeshift bomb shelters. The ferocity of the Israeli assault on Tehran caught both Iran's citizens and government by surprise, as Israel's jets flew with virtual freedom over Iranian skies. While Iranian missiles flew towards Israel, its military seemed incapable of stopping Israeli attacks. 'We are not confident mosques, schools or metro stations will be safe. What if we get buried under? My sisters and I are going to urge my parents and neighbours to leave home,' Nahid said. There were scenes of chaos on Tehran's streets as residents rushed to buy food amid bombings before shops shut. 'People are running around in the streets and screaming. It's extremely dangerous to step outside now but we don't have an option,' said Reza*, a students from the University of Tehran. The 21-year-old described long lines at petrol stations as he and others filled their cars before making the journey out of the city. While residents queued for fuel, or for cash at ATMs, a sense of panic began to spread as the strikes were joined by car-bombings, reportedly targeting Iranian nuclear scientists. People struggled to contact their loved ones as Iran's mobile phone network failed, giving only sporadic coverage. Experts said Israel's attack had come at a critical point for the Iranian government, which has been rocked by protests in recent years and by a deepening economic crisis. 'This war comes at a most acute situation domestically, because we have the gravest economic crisis for decades,' said Dr Ali Fathollah-Nejad, the founder and director of the Center for Middle East and Global Order. Prices of food and other essential goods have skyrocketed over the past year as the Iran's currency, the rial, rapidly depreciated. Trump quickly signed an executive order after retaking office in January that tightened sanctions against Iran, choking off oil exports from the already beleaguered economy. Fathollah-Nejad said the economic crisis had been one of the key factors alongside military pressure that pushed the Iranian government towards diplomacy with the US, with which it had been negotiating over its nuclear programme for the past couple of months. Online, Iranians took to social media to mock the government's lack of preparedness, sharing videos of top military officials saying Israel would never dare to attack Iran. Officials had previously trumpeted Iran's ability to deter strikes through its fierce military capabilities. Within Iran, state TV replayed footage of Iranian strikes on Israel and played down the impact of Israeli attacks. The feeling of being under attack has prompted a sense of unity among some Iranians. 'We have been hearing the rumours of regime change, especially by the Israelis and Americans. It seems more like a joke,' said Hadi*, a Tehran resident who is in his 60s. He added that among his friends, those who were initially against Iran developing nuclear weapons now felt the country needed a an atomic arsenal to defend itself from Israel. 'Many Iranians may criticise the government and object to the strategies, but history has proven that Iranians unite when attacked by a foreign country,' Hadi said. * Some names have been changed
CNN
15 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Fear grips Iranians with some fleeing the capital as conflict with Israel escalates
Fear has been gripping Iranians as Israel vows to continue attacking the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program, with many fleeing the bigger cities, including the capital Tehran, in search of safer areas. A resident of Saadat Abad, a wealthy neighborhood in north Tehran which has been hit in Israel's strikes, told CNN they heard explosions all night, some so powerful that it shook their entire apartment building. Like other people in Iran who spoke with CNN, the resident asked to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety. There was chaos as residents ran down to the ground level after smelling smoke from a nearby building that had also been targeted, the resident said. Families with young children struggled to keep them calm. Unlike Israel, Iran's capital Tehran doesn't have modern bomb shelters, so the city must make use of tunnels, basements or older shelters used in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s – the last time the country faced such a grave national emergency. 'In Tehran there weren't any shelters, people went into basements,' the chairman of Tehran's City Council, Mehdi Chamran, told reporters Sunday, adding that the metro can be used as a shelter 'in extreme crisis' but that 'we would need to shut the system down.' The metro in Tehran will be open 24 hours a day starting Sunday night for people to shelter, a government spokesperson announced. Schools and mosques will also be open, she said. Older people in the building in Saadat Abad were comparing the fear-filled atmosphere to the eight-year-long war with Iraq, which saw Iraqi armed forces invading western Iran along the countries' joint border, the resident said. Iranian experts have said that by attacking residential areas in Iran, Israel has 'crossed the Rubicon' – or passed the point of no return – and is inviting attacks of the same kind from Tehran. 'We don't support the Iranian regime, but we are against Israel attacking residential areas and civilians,' said an older male Tehran resident. 'If Israel is against Iran's nuclear program and military capabilities, they should target those areas and not create another situation like what is happening in Gaza.' Israel has destroyed swathes of the Palestinian territory and displaced almost all of Gaza's population in its war against Hamas, an Iranian ally. For those still in Tehran, daily life carries on for now despite fears of a widening war. Shelves in grocery stores are stocked and previously arranged gatherings go ahead, but the drumbeat of conflict is never too far off. For those with cars, there are long lines to buy gas and purchases are capped at 25 liters, residents told CNN. Cashpoints are working but at some the amount of cash that can be withdrawn has been limited. Many of those quitting the capital are heading towards the north, near the Caspian Sea, an area which is more rural and isolated. But residents told CNN that the roads are so gridlocked it is difficult to move. One family, who didn't want to be named, decided to leave Tehran with their two small children and their elderly parents. They are worried that the government has housed officials and military leaders within highly populated, upper middle-class neighborhoods – putting civilians at risk. 'I don't want to leave my home, but I am not going to put my young children in this position,' the father said. 'I hope that the US steps in to stop the attacks between both countries.' In the city of Shiraz, in south-central Iran, long lines for gas have been forming around the city. Residents are also stocking up on food, water, and diapers. Cars full of families with suitcases and water strapped to the roof have been seen around the city, with many families leaving for the countryside. Meanwhile, nights have become very quiet in Tehran, residents said. Many shops are closed and many people have either left the city or are too scared to go to work, they said. Israel's operation against Iran is expected to take 'weeks, not days' and is moving forward with implicit US approval, according to White House and Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'strike every site and every target of the Ayatollah's regime,' referring to the country's Supreme Leader. The Israeli military on Sunday also issued an 'urgent' evacuation warning to Iranians living near weapons production facilities, saying being nearby would endanger their lives. In a rare direct address to the people of Iran, Netanyahu on Friday urged its citizens to 'stand up and let your voices be heard,' after Israel unleashed deadly strikes on its regional foe. 'The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from an evil and oppressive regime,' Netanyahu said in a statement. The Iranian regime remains unpopular at home, where security forces continue their brutal crackdown on dissidents. Nonetheless, the Israeli leader's call fell on deaf ears. Many of those with whom CNN spoke did not want to be quoted, even anonymously, but none expressed any support for Netanyahu's calls for a revolt. 'Israel is underestimating our love for our country; the idea that bombing us, our homes, killing our children, would send us to the streets is shocking. We want to live peacefully whether we like the regime or not,' a 36-year-old man who wished to remain anonymous told CNN. Some Iranians expressed anger and asserted they would never cede to Netanyahu's demands. 'Do I wish the regime wasn't in power? Absolutely. Do I want my city bombed by another dictator? Absolutely not,' Neda, a 28-year-old woman, told CNN. 'Don't let the fake news fool you, the reality of what is happening in Iran as an Iranian who has actually lived in Iran, who has their family in Iran, (is that) Israel is in no way helping our people. I don't need fake news and propaganda speeches,' she added. Iran has threatened to intensify its own retaliatory attacks if Israel continues hostilities. Over 200 rocket launches from Iran were reported overnight into Sunday, the Israeli government said, and at least 13 people have been killed in Israel, including three children. Unofficial tallies published by Iran's state affiliated media said dozens in the country have been killed and injured in Israeli strikes. Iran's authorities have yet to declare a death toll.
CNN
16 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Fear grips Iranians with some fleeing the capital as conflict with Israel escalates
Fear has been gripping Iranians as Israel vows to continue attacking the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program, with many fleeing the bigger cities, including the capital Tehran, in search of safer areas. A resident of Saadat Abad, a wealthy neighborhood in north Tehran which has been hit in Israel's strikes, told CNN they heard explosions all night, some so powerful that it shook their entire apartment building. Like other people in Iran who spoke with CNN, the resident asked to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety. There was chaos as residents ran down to the ground level after smelling smoke from a nearby building that had also been targeted, the resident said. Families with young children struggled to keep them calm. Unlike Israel, Iran's capital Tehran doesn't have modern bomb shelters, so the city must make use of tunnels, basements or older shelters used in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s - the last tie the country faced such a grave national emergency. 'In Tehran there weren't any shelters, people went into basements,' the chairman of Tehran's City Council, Mehdi Chamran, told reporters Sunday, adding that the metro can be used as a shelter 'in extreme crisis' but that 'we would need to shut the system down.' The metro in Tehran will be open 24 hours a day starting Sunday night for people to shelter, a government spokesperson announced. Schools and mosques will also be open, she said. Older people in the building in Saadat Abad were comparing the fear-filled atmosphere to the eight-year-long war with Iraq, which saw Iraqi armed forces invading western Iran along the countries' joint border, the resident said. Iranian experts have said that by attacking residential areas in Iran, Israel has 'crossed the Rubicon' – or passed the point of no return – and is inviting attacks of the same kind from Tehran. 'We don't support the Iranian regime, but we are against Israel attacking residential areas and civilians,' said an older male Tehran resident. 'If Israel is against Iran's nuclear program and military capabilities, they should target those areas and not create another situation like what is happening in Gaza.' Israel has destroyed swathes of the Palestinian territory and displaced almost all of Gaza's population in its war against Hamas, an Iranian ally. For those still in Tehran, daily life carries on for now despite fears of a widening war. Shelves in grocery stores are stocked and previously arranged gatherings go ahead, but the drumbeat of conflict is never too far off. For those with cars, there are long lines to buy gas and purchases are capped at 25 liters, residents told CNN. Cashpoints are working but at some the amount of cash that can be withdrawn has been limited. Many of those quitting the capital are heading towards the north, near the Caspian Sea, an area which is more rural and isolated. But residents told CNN that the roads are so gridlocked it is difficult to move. One family, who didn't want to be named, decided to leave Tehran with their two small children and their elderly parents. They are worried that the government has housed officials and military leaders within highly populated, upper middle-class neighborhoods – putting civilians at risk. 'I don't want to leave my home, but I am not going to put my young children in this position,' the father said. 'I hope that the US steps in to stop the attacks between both countries.' In the city of Shiraz, in south-central Iran, long lines for gas have been forming around the city. Residents are also stocking up on food, water, and diapers. Cars full of families with suitcases and water strapped to the roof have been seen around the city, with many families leaving for the countryside. Meanwhile, nights have become very quiet in Tehran, residents said. Many shops are closed and many people have either left the city or are too scared to go to work, they said. Israel's operation against Iran is expected to take 'weeks, not days' and is moving forward with implicit US approval, according to White House and Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'strike every site and every target of the Ayatollah's regime,' referring to the country's Supreme Leader. The Israeli military on Sunday also issued an 'urgent' evacuation warning to Iranians living near weapons production facilities, saying being nearby would endanger their lives. In a rare direct address to the people of Iran, Netanyahu on Friday urged its citizens to 'stand up and let your voices be heard,' after Israel unleashed deadly strikes on its regional foe. 'The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from an evil and oppressive regime,' Netanyahu said in a statement. The Iranian regime remains unpopular at home, where security forces continue their brutal crackdown on dissidents. Nonetheless, the Israeli leader's call fell on deaf ears. Many of those with whom CNN spoke did not want to be quoted, even anonymously, but none expressed any support for Netanyahu's calls for a revolt. 'Israel is underestimating our love for our country; the idea that bombing us, our homes, killing our children, would send us to the streets is shocking. We want to live peacefully whether we like the regime or not,' a 36-year-old man who wished to remain anonymous told CNN. Some Iranians expressed anger and asserted they would never cede to Netanyahu's demands. 'Do I wish the regime wasn't in power? Absolutely. Do I want my city bombed by another dictator? Absolutely not,' Neda, a 28-year-old woman, told CNN. 'Don't let the fake news fool you, the reality of what is happening in Iran as an Iranian who has actually lived in Iran, who has their family in Iran, (is that) Israel is in no way helping our people. I don't need fake news and propaganda speeches,' she added. Iran has threatened to intensify its own retaliatory attacks if Israel continues hostilities. Over 200 rocket launches from Iran were reported overnight into Sunday, the Israeli government said, and at least 13 people have been killed in Israel, including three children. Unofficial tallies published by Iran's state affiliated media said dozens in the country have been killed and injured in Israeli strikes. Iran's authorities have yet to declare a death toll.
