Fear and Uncertainty Grip Tehran Amid Escalating Conflict**

Citizens share their fear, sadness, and anger as the conflict intensifies, with many fearing their beloved city could become another casualty of war.**

Residents of Tehran are experiencing a tumultuous wave of fear and uncertainty as Israeli attacks continue to shake their capital. Long lines form at petrol stations and bakeries as individuals attempt to flee the city, with many expressing both confusion and despair in the wake of the relentless violence.

"I haven't slept for nights," shared one young music student, who preferred to remain anonymous. "Everyone is leaving, but my father believes it is more honorable to stay than to run away." This sentiment highlights the internal struggle many face—caught between a government they criticize and the fear of an aggressive neighbor.

"I don’t want my beautiful Tehran to become another Gaza," she added, a sentiment echoed by countless others who find themselves entangled between a repressive regime and the violence from Israel that they’ve seen devastate Gaza through media reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for Iranians to rebel against their clerical leaders has not resonated well with many citizens. "We don’t want Israel to save us," another Iranian woman asserted. "No foreign country has ever cared for Iran." Her viewpoint resonated with many who feel that external interference will only complicate their troubles.

At least 220 individuals, including women and children, are reported to have lost their lives since the conflict escalated, while Israeli sources cite 24 casualties from Iranian missile strikes. Unlike in Israel, where citizens receive warnings of incoming attacks, Iranian residents are left vulnerable and uncertain, facing a barrage of missile strikes without refuge.

One resident, noting the lack of safety, said, "Every neighborhood has been affected by the explosions," illustrating the pervasive fear that blankets the city. Many have abandoned their homes in search of perceived safety, while others remain trapped, holding on to hope as they frequently check news updates on the conflict.

As divisions deepen within the population, residents describe a climate of confusion and anger, leading them to reevaluate their views on the ongoing conflict. "It's like the moment after the Titanic hit the iceberg," expressed one woman, drawing parallels to the chaos engulfing Tehran.

Activists living in the diaspora are also grappling with the crisis, expressing sympathy for both the regime's removal and the civilians caught in the crossfire. "It is a devastating humanitarian disaster," remarked an activist in contact with relatives in Iran.

In the face of uncertainty, many Tehran residents are preparing for the worst, packing emergency supplies, hoping for peace while recognizing the complexities of their situation. They stare down the possibility that their city, rich in history and culture, may never be the same again, as they desperately cling to the hope that their loved ones will endure the storms of war.