In brief
Tehran, Iran's sprawling capital with an estimated 10 million residents, is experiencing severe panic due to heightened military actions by Israel. Reports indicate that the Israeli military has expanded its targeted strikes across the city, encompassing densely populated neighborhoods. Many residents have been urged to evacuate following warnings from Israeli officials and even a direct statement from President Donald J. Trump via social media.
In recent days, heavy traffic jams have formed as residents flee the city in search of safer areas. The Israeli military's latest evacuation order primarily affects Districts 3 and 18, which include upscale residential areas and some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. This prompted fears among residents who now face the threat of airstrikes targeting vital Iranian military and energy infrastructures.The evacuation fears coincide with the Israeli strikes, which have reportedly targeted both high-density urban zones and important sites like the uranium enrichment center in Natanz. Eyewitness accounts and visual media reveal widespread chaos at gas stations, highlighting the urgency of the situation. With the potential for further escalated conflict, Tehran residents are left grappling with uncertainty and fear.Elena Shao contributes to the coverage of this unfolding situation from New York, providing crucial details as the crisis develops.
