What are people in Iran saying about the U.S. and Israeli strikes? We hear from people on the ground who experienced the events as they unfolded.
EMILY KWONG, HOST:
It was after sunrise when the U.S. and Israel began their attack on Iran, and outbound roads became heavily congested as people tried to flee and communicate with loved ones and the outside world.
HODA PARVIN: Seventy, 80 people contacted me from inside Iran saying they either had access to a Starlink or some spotty internet.
KWONG: That’s Iranian activist Hoda Parvin, who shared messages she’s been receiving from Iranians. We have not independently verified their stories, and we are not naming many individuals because they fear retaliation. This woman says she was in Tehran when the strikes began.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Through interpreter) Today, I walked from northern Tehran to the center of the city, exactly at the moment when they started their attack at 9:30 in the morning.
KWONG: A 39-year-old who asked to be identified by her initials S-A said she was in a gym when she heard screaming and shouting.
S A: (Through interpreter) We quickly exited the club. Traffic was intense. A distance that would take 15 minutes took us 2 1/2, 3 hours before we could reach our homes.
KWONG: As she tried to get home, she saw people banging on steering wheels and blasting music.
S A: (Through interpreter) I had to leave my car at the side of the road and walk part of the distance back home until the streets cleared and I could return to get my car and bring it into the parking lot.
KWONG: At home, she had prepared in case essential services were shut down.
S A: (Through interpreter) We followed the instructions—taping up windows, stocking water, preparing food rations, packing an emergency bag. We’ve done all those things, and I hope everyone has as well because now we’re waiting to hear when we can go back into the streets.
KWONG: Iranian state TV reported at least 200 people were killed by Saturday’s airstrikes. Amid that, a woman identified by her initials E-S said she welcomed U.S. efforts to oust the government.
E S: We begged for it. We begged the U.S. to come and support us. The rest is on our shoulder to make sure we deliver this safely later. Of course, we will have some casualties, loved ones, maybe. It will be devastating, of course, as it was two months ago.
KWONG: Some Iranians opposing the regime say the mood now is different than last summer, when Israel and the U.S. last struck Iran. The earlier unidentified Tehran woman compared this to the Twelve-Day war.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Through interpreter) I’m comparing this to the Twelve-Day war. That Twelve-Day war, I myself was afraid. My mother was afraid. But now everyone is happy. We’re waiting for the main news. We’re just waiting for this hell to be over.
KWONG: She will keep waiting, as all Iranians are, for what comes next.
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