After nearly two weeks of intense air strikes and the beginning of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, confusion, uncertainty, and distrust have seized households in Tehran’s capital.
Some families who were displaced by the conflict returned home quickly, while others were more cautious.
The intensity of Monday night’s bombardment left Samaneh, a 37-year-old reporter who only wanted to give her first name, shaken.
The worst was the bombing’s final night. She feared for her family and friends in the Iranian capital because she truly believed she would never see her loved ones again.
Those who doubted the ceasefire will continue, especially given allegations of violations and promises of retaliation, have only a passing gander at the ceasefire, which started on Tuesday.
Samaneh explained that while she “thought it was just another psychological game [he] was playing with us], she “knows that this ceasefire is temporary.”
“I couldn’t believe that Israel and Iran would support it,” she said. The Tehran-based woman continued, “I keep expecting someone to sabotage the entire thing.” I experienced relief, along with sadness, anger, and fear, until Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the ceasefire in a formal message from Oman, she continued.
“I’m incredibly discouraged. But she said, “I hope I can finally fall asleep after 12 nights.” “I feel for the people of Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon, who have endured this kind of suffering for years,” said one of the mourners.
Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military installations on June 13 that resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, military leaders, and scientists. Iran launched drone strikes and ballistic missiles in Israeli cities as retaliation. At least 610 people have died and 4,746 have been hurt, according to Iran. At least 28 people have died and hundreds have been injured in Israel.
“We who pay”
Raha, a 41-year-old history teacher who had traveled abroad but insisted on coming home when Israel attacked to make sure her family was safe, expressed her disgust in Karaj, a region of greater Tehran.
It’s a pause rather than peace, they say. How can we trust those who simultaneously refer to regime change and peace? she inquired.
Trump has mentioned that Iran is accepting “peace,” which is essentially accepting US demands for the surrender of its nuclear program. The US president has also called for regime change, saying, “If the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change? ” MIGA!! “!
She continued, “I worry that this is only a brief break, a chance for Israel’s military to regroup before conducting yet another round of air strikes, just like they have in Palestine and Lebanon.”
Raha continued, “The US and Israel have destroyed our organization.” Without us, they are in charge of shaping our future. They mention freedom, women, and life, but they also attacked my country. They shook my nation’s skies and borders. They murder innocent people. And within a few hours, American bombs detonated billions of dollars, which could have been used to rebuild Iran. Our nuclear arsenal eventually turned into black holes and craters.
Iran has consistently claimed that it has developed nuclear weapons, but Israel and the US have done so for years.
Hadi, a 42-year-old civil engineer from Ahwaz’s southwest, supports the government’s position on its nuclear program, noting that it had agreed to a previous nuclear agreement in 2015 that Trump unilaterally rejected three years later.
We have said repeatedly as a nation that we are not interested in developing nuclear weapons, Hadi said. Iran was plunged into the brink of war by Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Hadi is happy that the Iranian government accepted the ceasefire, though he remained positive about it.
“We’ve lost a lot of martyrs,” he said. He said, “I hope this brings the people of my country closer together, and that the government lessens its positions on issues like the hijab.” “We need unity and reconstruction.”
Raha worries about the domestic outcry and worries about what will happen to Iranians in the wake of the Israeli bombardment, which she believes the government will ultimately reject.
The regime may now attempt to retaliate against Israel by focusing its repression on women, especially since it was defeated, “I’m afraid.” more arrests are made. more repression. We are always responsible for the payment, she said.
Since the start of the conflict with Israel, Iran has made dozens of arrests, primarily on suspicion of spying on Israel. In 2022, Iran has previously repressed opposition activists, and some human rights activists fear that more people will be detained for speaking out against Israel.
I have no faith that it will last.
Nine security personnel were killed when Israeli missiles struck two military installations in the central province of Yazd, prompting Mohammad, a 28-year-old nurse, to work the night shift on high alert. Early on Tuesday morning, he left his house to find the Iranian authorities having confirmed the ceasefire.
“Sorry, my brain isn’t functioning properly after working night shift,” I said. But he continued to be shocked. The regime almost assuredly agreed to a ceasefire almost immediately, contrary to what many of us had anticipated: a drawn-out war. Even the majority of its critics were unable to believe it because it was so unexpected. He continued, “I believe the regime were cornered because they were afraid of more prominent Israeli assassinations or even internal armed groups.”
The exhausted 28-year-old continued, “I’m glad there’s a ceasefire, but I don’t trust it will last.” He added that he thought the world powers were just sacrificing Iranian lives for their own goals.
I don’t trust Israel, the US, or the Iranian government, Mohammad continued. This regime wasted a chance to reach an agreement with the US President Joe Biden’s administration. Israel assassinated our nuclear scientists and their families, assassinated hundreds of civilians and soldiers, and violated our sovereignty. He cited the destruction done to the country as evidence that the US bombed my nation and quickly destroyed the wealth of several generations.
I have no right to trust any of the people involved in this ceasefire, as far as I’m concerned.
Source: Aljazeera
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