The Escalating Crisis in Tehran
For the past week, my family in Tehran has endured nightly terror as missiles rain down, shaking their home while children scream in fear. The haunting sound of drones overhead serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing assault from a foreign military. Israel’s surprise attack on Iran has led to the deaths of over 600 people, predominantly civilians, including entire families taken as they slept. The violence escalated to the point where Israeli bombs struck state-run media facilities, resulting in casualties among journalists, and medical facilities are now inundated with the injured, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the city.
Despite claims that Israel is targeting military installations and nuclear sites, the reality is far removed. Homes across Iran are bearing the brunt of the assault, and President Trump’s alarming evacuation order threatens the entire civilian population in Tehran, a sprawling metropolis of 10 million. June typically brings vibrant greenery and blooming flowers to the city, where diverse communities coexist. Yet now, terror unites all in Tehran as families receive evacuation orders in the dead of night. Fuel shortages slow escape attempts, and many residents, including my own family, feel trapped with aging relatives in need of care.
The emotional toll of this crisis resonates deeply as families who once planned summer getaways are now fixated on survival—a tragic shift from dreams of vacations to prayers for safety from the next explosion. The context of this violent escalation is particularly poignant: just days prior, Iran and the United States were engaged in negotiations, rekindling hopes for peace that harked back to the optimism surrounding the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which brought initial hope until Trump’s decision to withdraw in 2018 reignited tensions.
The fallout from sanctions imposed on Iran under U.S. policy has been catastrophic for ordinary citizens. Economic decay has wreaked havoc: currency devaluation and shortages of essential medicines have led to unnecessary suffering and loss of life. Ironically, these sanctions have bolstered the regime by enabling illicit smuggling and consolidating wealth among a select few, further crippling civil society and eroding the vibrancy of the cultural landscape that once flourished. While Iranians have repeatedly aspired for better relations with the U.S., betrayal by American leadership has further disheartened those who yearn for diplomacy.
Amidst this, historical grievances loom large in the minds of Iranians. Past U.S. interventions, such as the CIA-led coup in 1953 that reinstated the Shah and the support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, breed a deep distrust of American intentions. Yet Iranians have remained hopeful, even electing leaders promising negotiations. Trump’s promises of avoiding conflict were met with optimism, which have since turned to disillusionment, especially as Israel’s military aggression is perceived as a tacit endorsement of U.S. policy.
The ironic narrative places Israel’s own nuclear capabilities in sharp contrast to its aggressive stance towards Iran, which the U.S. cites as a nuclear threat despite intelligence reports that refute such claims. The persistent U.S. military aid to Israel adds to the sense of betrayal felt by many Iranians. If history teaches us anything, it is that diplomacy, rather than warfare, brings resolution. The JCPOA stands as a testament to Iran’s commitment to agreements when fairness and trust are at play. Moving forward, the United States must rethink its position, halt arms supplies, and renew peace negotiations, demonstrating to Iranians that trust and peace are possible. Failure to do so risks perpetuating animosity for generations to come.
