Iran International
Panic-stricken residents began fleeing Tehran on Sunday as Israeli strikes and air defense fire rocked the city, sending thick plumes of smoke into the skyline of a capital unprepared for war.
The latest wave of Israeli airstrikes, which began at midday, followed hours after a warning from Israel’s Ministry of Defense urging civilians to avoid areas near military and weapons facilities.
The attacks have sparked deep anxiety across Tehran, a city already struggling under energy shortages and economic malaise before the conflict.
“I can’t think straight. I’m packing as we speak. The whole city is under attack and the roads out are jam-packed with cars,” said Neda, a 37-year-old mother of two, struggling to hold back tears.
“My elderly parents are reliving the traumas of the Iran-Iraq war every time a missile lands,” she added. “I have very little hope that the Islamic Republic and Israel will stop anytime soon. I just hope our home is still standing when and if we return.”
Reported targets included the Justice, Intelligence, and Oil ministries located in densely populated residential and commercial districts.
Multiple residential buildings were also struck during the ongoing daytime raids.
“The first two days were incredibly terrifying because there are so many military facilities near my home. A missile could land on us with no warning any minute. I’m praying for all this to end soon,” said Ladan, a 46-year-old housewife who lives in northeast Tehran, after reaching Mazandaran in the Caspian region.
Bazaar shuttered
Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and many other businesses shuttered quickly as queues outside petrol stations grew longer. Authorities have now capped fuel purchases at 15 liters per private vehicle per day.
While Iran’s government has not released overall casualty figures, state media reported that ten children were killed overnight in a residential building in northeast Tehran.
Arash, a 48-year-old engineer, said his entire family is preparing to flee.
Israeli attacks targeted Iran’s foreign ministry, interior ministry and ministry of intelligence along with military targets across the capital Tehran and nationwide. Tehran’s historic bazaar was shut down as merchants evacuated.
US President Trump said it was time for a deal to end the hostilities but suggested letting Israel and Iran keep scrapping.
"Well I hope there's going to be a deal. I think it's time for a deal and we'll see what happens but sometimes they have to fight it out but we're going to see what happens. I think there's a good chance there will be a deal," he told reporters on Sunday.
Israeli attacks since Friday had killed 224 people and wounded 1,277, spokesman for Iran’s health ministry Hossein Kermanpour said on social media.
Four people were killed in the latest Iranian missile attacks on Israel's central region, medic service Magen David Adom said early on Monday local time. Live feeds showed several apparent missile impacts on the northern port city of Haifa as well.
Tehran exodus
Traffic volume also surged at major exit points from Tehran, including the Tehran-North highway, Tehran-Qom route, and Haraz road, police said on Sunday, amid escalating war between Iran and Israel.
Israel has approved a new strike plan designed to prompt a mass civilian exodus from Tehran by targeting sites linked to the Iranian government, the Jewish state's Channel 14 reported Sunday night.
Explosions were also reported near key locations including Niavaran, Kashavarz Boulevard, the vicinity of Azadi Stadium, and the Air Force area (Nirou-Havaei) in eastern Tehran.
More attacks struck around Fatemi Square -- where the Interior Ministry is located --Valiasr Square, and downtown intersections near Alaeddin shopping mall in Jomhouri street.
Iranians from neighborhoods such as Jannatabad, Shush, Saadatabad, Punak, Ekbatan, and Chitgarhave sent Iran International video confirming missile strikes and anti-aircraft fire throughout the capital.
Around the airport area and Mehrabad, drone activity and defensive fire were also reported.
Strikes all across Iran
Beyond Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj faced drone assaults, particularly around the Azimieh area, with residents reporting heavy smoke and continuous anti-aircraft defense activity from the nearby mountains.
In the northwest, officials in Tabriz confirmed drone incursions and defensive responses but denied any explosions.
An Israeli military spokesperson also said on Sunday that they also attacked Isfahan nuclear facility.
Warning of regional escalation
Meanwhile a veteran commander mooted regional conflict and a possible eventual resort to nuclear weapons.
"Iran may be forced to take actions that could destabilize the entire region," Mohsen Rezaei, the IRGC general who commanded Iranian forces during the Iran-Iraq war, told the state TV.
Rezaei, once again seen wearing his military uniform, warned that Iran might have to cross its own red lines.
"For now, we have no plans to move towards nuclear weapons," Rezaei said.
Communications disrupted
Internet services have been disrupted in many Iranian cities, with users reporting severe difficulties accessing social media platforms like Instagram and messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
Videos shared on social media showed simultaneous fires at the Shohran oil depot and the Shahr-e Rey refinery near Tehran, with flames continuing for hours after the initial strikes overnight.
‘We have yet to strike all targets,’ Israeli military says
An Israeli military official said that a long list of Iranian targets remains untouched. Since June 13, the Israeli military has conducted approximately 170 airstrikes, striking over 720 sites across Iran.
Israel also issued a warning on Sunday, urging Tehran residents near weapons production centers to evacuate.
As the strikes continue, sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire remain frequent across Tehran and other cities.
“Israel struck several places near our neighborhood this morning. One explosion blew the windows open. We’re heading to my parents’ home in the Caspian region—but I’m not sure it’s safe there either.”
Ali, a 38-year-old teacher, said he was still looking for somewhere safe to take shelter. “People with money have already left. For people like us, it’s hard to survive more than a few days away from home.”
Online, confusion and fear are spreading.
“Every [Telegram] channel that I check says to leave Tehran -- but where exactly should we go when we don’t have anyone [to stay with] or know any places [that are safe]?” @stillwjm97 posted on X.
Shelters, human toll
Outspoken former lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi echoed the urgency in a post on X.
“The war has truly begun. Declare a state of war. Prioritize protecting people's lives. Let’s minimize human casualties by preparing shelters and issuing warnings,” he addressed the authorities.
“So many missiles are landing in Tel Aviv and Haifa, but the human toll is not comparable to Iran.”
Tehran has no dedicated, fully stocked public bomb shelters like those in Israel. Some neighborhood bunkers built during the Iran-Iraq War remain unused and unprepared, and no sirens have been sounded ahead of the recent attacks.
The government on Sunday announced metro stations, mosques and schools would stay open overnight for shelter. But residents say that metro stations are not equipped as bomb shelters and lack basic amenities such as toilers.
Some social media users are expressing concern that most mosques and schools may be as vulnerable to bombs and missiles as their homes.
