Panic in the Streets, Relief for Some as Iran Reacts to Strikes

Explosions were heard in Tehran and several other cities around 09:40 local time as tensions surged after new strikes linked to US and allies. Residents posted videos showing people running from blast sites, with screams and confusion audible, all against a backdrop of an almost total internet blackout that has made contact with those inside the country extremely difficult.

For some, the blasts triggered fear and uncertainty about the future, but others voiced relief that the strikes could accelerate change in the regime’s grip on power. One Tehran resident described the moment as surreal, saying, 'I can't believe it. It's like when you get such good news you don't even know what to do.'

As social media clips circulated, a school crowd can be seen dancing and chanting that the strikes have happened, with a teenager declaring, 'I love Trump.' The moment underscored how quickly public sentiment can shift in a country where state media and outside narratives collide in real time.

Since Friday night, long queues formed at petrol stations, and many residents began leaving Tehran for the safer north near the Caspian Sea, in search of security amid the escalating tensions. The ongoing internet blackout continues to limit communication with people inside the country, leaving many observers waiting for clearer information about what comes next, even as some residents express cautious optimism about potential changes on the horizon.

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