Iranians are trickling back into their homes in the capital city of Tehran after a 12-day bombing campaign by Israel, but many are uncertain about the future. The ceasefire has brought relief, but fear of renewed violence remains high.
For many residents, returning home feels like heaven. “Coming back home after all these days, even from a place where you had physical safety, feels like heaven,” said Nika, a 33-year-old graphic designer who spent nearly two weeks sheltering with her husband at their relatives’ home in Zanjan. However, she remains uncertain about the ceasefire.
The conflict began on June 13 when Israeli warplanes launched a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. The exchange of fire brought direct warfare to Tehran for the first time in decades. Many residents were forced to flee the capital for the relative safety of other cities and villages.
“I had an incredibly busy life before the war,” said Saba, a 26-year-old university student who was unable to secure a car and was driven to her hometown by her father. “But at some point, you couldn’t deny reality anymore. Life was stopping.”
According to the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, at least 610 people were killed and 1,481 wounded during the conflict. Infrastructure damage across Tehran was significant, with attacks striking multiple provinces.
Despite the uncertain future, the streets of Tehran are visibly busier than before the ceasefire. Companies are ending remote work policies and recalling employees, and cafes and restaurants are reopening. As the city stirs back to life, residents are cautiously optimistic about their return home.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/6/26/feels-like-heaven-iranians-return-to-tehran-uncertain-of-future