Been here in Tehran for the past couple of days, here are a few observations.
📌 Striking contrast, despite the ongoing military confrontation, daily life largely continues. Shops, restaurants, and malls are open, clear shift from the paralyzed atmosphere of last year’s 12-day war.
📌Iranian authorities are navigating on two layers. State rhetoric clearly frames this as an existential conflict, yet there is a concerted domestic effort to project normalcy and stability for residents. All indicators suggest the government is bracing for a protracted, multi-month conflict.
📌 Because Tehran is such a huge city, the physical toll of the conflict isn't spotted. Destruction is localized, though the damage is unmistakable in certain districts. Meanwhile, state mobilization remains highly visible, with several pro-government rallies taking place across various neighborhoods.
📌 Following a deceptively calm day yesterday, airstrikes targeted local fuel depots post-midnight. The escalation continued into this morning with a massive blast heard toward the city center, followed by at least two more explosions in the northern suburbs.
📌 These strikes on critical energy infrastructure represent a significant pressure on the state and residents. Aside from the day to day impact, the scene, the smoke, the smell all have their own effects.