Tehran: Amid Israel's fierce attacks, a large number of people have started migrating from Iran's capital Tehran. The sounds of explosions have been echoing throughout the night in the capital Tehran. After even rich areas like Saadat Abad came under the attack, now the city dwellers have started migrating. A resident of Saadat Abad has said in a CNN report that "the explosions were so strong that the whole apartment shook. The neighboring building caught fire. People started running down in panic. It became difficult to handle small children." Unlike Israel, Iran's capital Tehran does not have modern bomb shelters, so people in the city are forced to hide in tunnels, basements or old shelters to save their lives. These were last used during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.
Tehran City Council Chairman Mehdi Chamran told reporters on Sunday that "there are no shelters in Tehran, people went to basements at night." He further said that the metro can be used as a shelter "in extreme crisis", but "we have to shut down this system." In a statement issued by the Iranian government, it has been announced that the metro in Tehran will remain open 24 hours a day to provide shelter to people from Sunday night. The government has said that schools and mosques will also remain open. People of Sadat Abad say that the elderly people are comparing the current situation to the Iraq-Iran war when Iraq attacked Iran during the reign of Saddam Hussein.
People's anger is erupting against Israel
Speaking to CNN, many people say that they do not support the country's Islamic government and its policies, but Israel is targeting the population of the people, which is absolutely wrong. People say that Israel knows very well where the nuclear bases are, yet it is bombing urban population areas. CNN's report says that the situation in Tehran is now deteriorating rapidly. People are leaving the city in large numbers and moving northwards towards rural areas along the Caspian Sea, but there is a long traffic jam on the national highway. Many families have left in vehicles with children and the elderly, packing suitcases and water bottles. On the other hand, Iranian experts have said that by attacking residential areas in Iran, Israel has "crossed the Rubicon" i.e. crossed the point from which it is not possible to return. Experts say that Tehran is responding to similar attacks.
Currently, shops are closed in the capital Tehran, markets are empty and people are avoiding coming to the office. In some areas, only a limited amount of money can be withdrawn from ATMs. While there are long queues at petrol stations. A limit of 25 liters of petrol per vehicle has been set. A family from Tehran has told CNN that "We do not want to leave our house, but we cannot put the children in danger. The government has placed many military officers in upper-middle class residential areas, which has put ordinary citizens in danger." Similarly, long lines are being seen at petrol pumps and hoarding of food items in the southern city of Shiraz. Vehicles full of families carrying suitcases and water are seen around the city, many of whom are moving towards rural areas.
Israel-Iran war likely to become more dangerous
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that this operation will continue for "a few weeks" and in this "every military and nuclear unit" of Iran will be destroyed. Citing White House sources, CNN has said that this operation has the "tacit approval" of the US. The Israeli army has also warned Iranian citizens to move away from weapons manufacturing units, which has further increased the fear there. In an appeal, Netanyahu has asked the Iranian public to "raise their voice against the dictatorial regime". However, it did not show any effect. The citizens of Tehran have rejected this appeal outright. A woman said, "Do we want the current regime to be removed? Yes. Do we want our city to be destroyed by bombing? No. Netanyahu does not understand us."
Citizens in Iran are angry with Israel's attacks, but they are not accepting any foreign interference. Talking to CNN, a woman from Tehran said that "Israel is not helping us, it is killing our children." Meanwhile, there has been a sharp reaction from Iran as well. Some Iranians expressed anger and said that they would never accept Netanyahu's demands. "Do I want the regime not to be in power? Absolutely. Do I want another dictator to bomb my city? Absolutely not," Neda, a 28-year-old woman, told CNN. Iran, on the other hand, has threatened to intensify its retaliatory attacks if Israel continues hostilities. The Israeli government said more than 200 rockets were launched from Iran on Sunday night and at least 13 people, including three children, were killed in Israel.
