TEHRAN – As smoke lingers over the ruins of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, voices from within the Islamic Republic paint a portrait of a nation caught between fear, rage, and defiant resilience. The U.S. airstrikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, launched in the dead of night on Saturday, have plunged Iranians into a deeper state of anxiety and reflection.
“My days and nights feel the same now. I’m paralyzed. I just stare at the ceiling for hours on end, wondering what will happen next, always being taken by surprise,” says Shahla, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. She is one of many Iranians who reached out to BBC Persian following the high-profile operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer”.
While U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a decisive blow against Iran’s nuclear ambitions — offering Tehran the stark choice between “peace or tragedy” — Iranian officials lashed out. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of crossing a red line, warning of consequences that would endure for generations.
Mounting Toll and Shattered Trust
The airstrikes came just over a week after Israel launched a sweeping aerial campaign against Iranian targets, which it claimed were existential threats tied to Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, at least 430 people have been killed since the escalation began. Independent human rights groups estimate the actual toll may be twice as high.
In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities, reportedly killing 24 people, according to Israeli authorities.
As military firepower shapes the skies, the digital silence on the ground has intensified. The Iranian government has imposed severe internet restrictions, limiting both internal communication and the global community’s visibility into the crisis.
Yet some voices still break through.
Personal Testimonies from Inside Iran
Mehri, another anonymous citizen, sent a voice message to BBC Persian, capturing a raw emotional landscape:
“I’ve never felt this level of pain and rage in my life. But strangely, there’s also clarity — a reminder that I’m connected to something beyond myself.”
She added,
“This war — the war in Iran — is essentially a conflict between three men, three leaders driven by their ideologies.”
Her words clearly referenced Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Every time I hear them say words like ‘Isfahan’ or claim they’ve taken control of Iran’s skies, I get furious. These are not just words. These names are sacred to me.”
Defiance Amid Despair
In the northwestern region of Maku, Homayoun expressed unwavering resolve in the face of Trump’s warnings that any Iranian retaliation would be met with overwhelming force:
“Yes, we are going through hard times. But we will stand by our country to the end. And if need be, we will give our lives — for our homeland, for our honor.”
A Nation on Edge, A Generation in Hope
At a press conference in Turkey the following day, Foreign Minister Araghchi declared that Iran reserved all options in defending its sovereignty and people. “The United States is fully responsible for the consequences of its actions,” he said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued veiled threats toward U.S. military bases in the Middle East, which Tehran views as legitimate targets. Even before Israel’s campaign began, Iran’s defense minister warned of potential retaliation against all American bases within reach. Some hardline voices have gone further, calling for attacks on U.S. naval ships in the Gulf and for shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes.
Despite the rhetoric, many citizens yearn for a de-escalation.
“I hope this is the peak of the conflict, and that things will begin to calm down from here,” said one Iranian who spoke to BBC Persian.
“Iran is rational enough to know that any direct action against the U.S. would be suicide.”
A New Iran for the Next Generation?
One expectant father shared a deeply personal hope:
“My son will be born in a few days. I hope his birth marks the beginning of a new Iran — one that redefines its place in the world and heals its internal wounds.”
He added pointedly,
“I hope he grows up in a country where surveillance cameras and security forces focus on real threats — not on enforcing the hijab.”
The comment alludes to Iran’s strict dress codes, which sparked nationwide protests in 2022, met with a brutal crackdown by state security forces.
Reckoning With the Past, Looking to the Future
Others expressed disillusionment with the heavy costs of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“Fordow and Natanz — and the entire nuclear program — have cost us dearly. They were built with our tears and the blood of our hearts. For years they bled the nation dry,” one citizen wrote to BBC Persian.
Farhad shared a more nuanced view:
“I’m not happy about what happened, but the Islamic Republic’s previous stance was unbearable. I do hope that something better lies ahead for Iran.”
A Fractured Homeland and a Divided Vision
At a border crossing between Iran and Armenia, a young woman who fled Tehran with her family rejected any externally imposed regime change:
“We were trying to change things from within. I don’t believe any transformation coming from the U.S. or Israel would be a good thing.”
As the situation in Iran grows more precarious, these testimonies reflect a nation grappling with trauma, identity, and conflicting desires — for peace, justice, reform, and dignity.
In the shadow of missiles and political brinkmanship, the voices of ordinary Iranians remain a powerful testament to the human cost of this escalating conflict.
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