In a dramatic turn of events, more than 200 Israeli warplanes orchestrated a significant assault on Iran early Friday, leaving cities engulfed in chaos and igniting fear that resonated throughout the nation. Residents, awakened by the thunderous explosions, hurried to their windows and rooftops to witness the devastation, as columns of smoke rose into the sky. In a country where speaking to international media is often fraught with difficulty, some Iranians took the initiative to share their experiences through voice memos, providing a poignant insight into a crisis most had not anticipated.
Amidst the turmoil, Shakiba, a 37-year-old occupational therapist from Tehran, described the moment the attacks began while she was winding down for the night with her pets. "The first sound was really shocking, because we were not ready, we were not expecting it," she recounted, emphasizing the initial confusion that enveloped her neighborhood as people gathered to ascertain the unfolding situation.
Making calls to her patients, particularly an elderly couple caught in the chaos, Shakiba felt the despair in the woman’s voice as she expressed her fear of being unable to flee due to their health issues. “I just tried to make her sure that it will not happen again, but I was not sure about this myself,” Shakiba confessed, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the emotional toll it has taken on both the elderly individuals and their families who are away.
As the dust settles and the internet fluctuates in availability, these firsthand accounts reveal a society grappling with unfamiliar fears, drawing unsettling parallels to the Iran-Iraq war decades prior. The psychological impact of such attacks continues to unfold as citizens around Iran face an uncertain future.
Amidst the turmoil, Shakiba, a 37-year-old occupational therapist from Tehran, described the moment the attacks began while she was winding down for the night with her pets. "The first sound was really shocking, because we were not ready, we were not expecting it," she recounted, emphasizing the initial confusion that enveloped her neighborhood as people gathered to ascertain the unfolding situation.
Making calls to her patients, particularly an elderly couple caught in the chaos, Shakiba felt the despair in the woman’s voice as she expressed her fear of being unable to flee due to their health issues. “I just tried to make her sure that it will not happen again, but I was not sure about this myself,” Shakiba confessed, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the emotional toll it has taken on both the elderly individuals and their families who are away.
As the dust settles and the internet fluctuates in availability, these firsthand accounts reveal a society grappling with unfamiliar fears, drawing unsettling parallels to the Iran-Iraq war decades prior. The psychological impact of such attacks continues to unfold as citizens around Iran face an uncertain future.
