Tehran residents are navigating a daily existence marked by fear, uncertainty, and disruption as air strikes continue to affect the Iranian capital. AFP spoke to a woman in her 30s, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, about life amid the ongoing conflict.
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She described waves of people leaving the city, particularly those living near potential targets, though rising costs and reassurances from US officials that civilians would remain safe have slowed departures. “The financial situation is very bad. My job has been halted and I am spending out of my savings,” she said. Petrol availability has been limited, with some stations capping sales at five litres per customer, though basic shopping remains possible.
Torn between hope and fear, a #Tehran resident in her 30s agrees to share her thoughts with AFP about the ongoing #war and daily life. Read the conversation in the comment –#IranWar pic.twitter.com/IluPcR83AN
— The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) March 12, 2026
Security measures have intensified across the city. Police stations are largely closed, and military bases have been targeted, leaving checkpoints as one of the few visible signs of control. Residents are reportedly required at some checkpoints to hand over their phones, which are then searched for references to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Government supporters continue to demonstrate at night with flags and chants.
The woman detailed the destruction she witnessed in the Gisha district and Niloufar Square, where public buildings and shops suffered severe damage. Many residents have lost homes, and businesses have been destroyed. She recounted how friends near the airport and suburbs have had to sleep in bathrooms or take sleeping pills due to the intensity of night strikes.
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Despite the disruption, some essential services remain functional, including hospitals, which she said appear to be operational. Experiences vary widely depending on proximity to strikes, but the overarching sentiment is one of living under persistent tension and anxiety.
The account underscores the human cost of the conflict in Tehran, highlighting how ordinary residents navigate safety, resources, and daily life amid continuing air raids.