Strikes, shortages, and fear: Thousands in Tehran flee Israeli attacks

It was on the fourth day of Israeli bombing that the elderly couple made the difficult decision to leave Tehran.

They had initially planned to stay in their home, believing the conflict would quickly subside. But as the airstrikes escalated, and with Israel's defence minister warning that Iranian civilians would "pay the price" for Iran’s retaliatory attacks, they decided to head to their only other place of refuge; a relative's home in Kashan, a city 200 kilometres south of the capital.

The couple are among tens of thousands now trying to flee Tehran's urban sprawl as Israel intensifies its assault on the city.

Since Israel launched its unprecedented attack four days ago, warplanes and drones have fired hundreds of missiles at Tehran, hitting both military and residential buildings. Civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, government ministries, and the state broadcaster's headquarters, has also been targeted.

On Saturday, a series of car bombs detonated across the city, spreading panic among residents.

Iran has responded with waves of ballistic missiles, striking key sites such as the military's central command and the Haifa oil refinery.

Scenes of chaos are unfolding across the Iranian capital. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and streets are choked with destruction. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, and more than a thousand wounded.

In a tactic Israel has used repeatedly in Gaza and Lebanon over the past 20 months, the military has begun issuing displacement orders in parts of Tehran. On Sunday, it ordered the evacuation of a northern district, giving its 330,000 residents just hours to leave before airstrikes began.

US President Donald Trump has issued his own sweeping threat. "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran," he said in a televised address to the city’s nine million residents on Monday night.

But for many, leaving the capital has proven almost impossible.

A mass exodus has gridlocked roads out of the city. Tickets for public transport have all but vanished. Long queues at petrol stations stretch for hours, as panic-buying deepens pre-existing fuel shortages.

On Saturday, Israel destroyed one of Tehran's largest oil depots, which was a key fuel source for the city's residents.

Flights are not an option either. The government closed the country's airspace after the Israeli bombing began, and the Civil Aviation Authority says it would remain shut "until further notice" to "protect the safety of passengers".

Many of those managing to flee have headed north to the Caspian region, which has so far been spared Israeli attacks. One resident, who made it to the northern city of Amol on Friday morning, said fuel shortages were already visible.

"I was lucky my tank was half full," he told The New Arab. "We were very lucky to get out on Friday. Everyone who tried to leave after us got stuck in the city or on the road."

The elderly couple, unable to drive due to health reasons, remain stranded in Tehran. "I went to the bus terminal several times, but all the buses and public transport were full," the retired husband told The New Arab. "I couldn’t get a ticket - not even a taxi to Kashan."

On Monday, they tried again. One driver had no fuel. Another was too afraid to drive amid the bombing. By the time of reporting, they were still trapped in the city.

For millions staying put, there are few safe places. Unlike in Israel, most residential buildings in Iran are not equipped with bomb shelters.

In response, the government has kept metro stations open overnight to provide underground shelter. It has also encouraged people to take refuge in mosques and schools, which it claims are less likely to be targeted.

Most governments have yet to launch serious evacuation operations for their nationals trapped in Iran, despite the escalating bombardment.

More than 100 citizens of Central Asian countries, including diplomats and their families, have reportedly been evacuated through Turkmenistan. India has asked Iran to ensure the safety and exit of 10,000 Indian students currently in the country.

On Sunday, Pakistan became the first neighbouring state to close its border with Iran. Others, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan, remain open.