Residents of Tehran are grappling with extreme polarization and fear as they navigate civilian life in Tehran during the war, following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a wave of anti-government protests in January.
- Deep Internal Rifts: Perspectives range from state loyalty and a belief in national deterrence to calls for the complete overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
- Impact of War: Civilians report the psychological toll of bombings, the absurdity of military conscription, and the trauma of urban warfare.
- Political Skepticism: Many residents express distrust toward both the current regime and exiled opposition figures, fearing a transition to military dictatorship.
Diverse Perspectives on Civilian Life in Tehran
For some, the current conflict has highlighted the absurdity of the state’s demands. Behzad, a 31-year-old military conscript with a master’s degree, describes his forced service as an “absurd death” trap, where he performs sentry work under the threat of bombardment for a system he hates.
Behzad believes that foreign intervention will not bring democracy. He predicts that the regime will eventually reach a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, resulting in the establishment of a military dictatorship rather than a democratic state.
Similarly, Amir, a 40-year-old taxi driver, views the geopolitical struggle with skepticism. While he participated in January’s protests due to economic hardship, he dismisses the influence of exiled figures like Pahlavi and believes foreign powers are pursuing their own interests rather than the welfare of Iranians.
Trauma and Resistance
The January anti-government protests left a lasting mark on the city’s youth. Parnian, a 20-year-old cafe worker, was shot in the hand while helping wounded protesters. She reports that her father, a war veteran, has since turned against the regime after hospitals initially refused to treat her.
Nika, a 23-year-old psychology student, describes a shift in emotion from hoping for the government’s fall to a deep fear of war. After witnessing explosions in her neighborhood and strikes on children in Minab, she expressed guilt over ever wanting conflict, stating, “I don’t want anyone to be killed.”
Nika and others have continued their resistance through personal choices, such as refusing to wear the hijab even during religious family gatherings, reflecting a generational divide in Iranian society.
Loyalty and the State’s Survival
Not all residents seek the regime’s collapse. Fahimeh, a 55-year-old state employee, emphasizes the importance of Iran’s dignity and safety. She argues that the country must maintain means of deterrence, including enriched uranium and control of the Strait of Hormuz, to prevent foreign diminution.
While Fahimeh views the January protests as a “national tragedy,” she believes the regime will survive by adapting and yielding somewhat to the will of the people. She strongly opposes regime change directed by foreign powers.
The Aftermath of Khamenei’s Death
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei triggered visceral and opposing reactions across the city. In some neighborhoods, residents celebrated with whistling and shouting from their windows.
Parisa, a 20-year-old medical student, described the moment as a “turning point in history.” Despite the celebrations, she expresses fear of vengeance and increased polarization. Parisa states that she no longer believes an ordinary life is possible in Iran and intends to emigrate as soon as possible.
As the city continues to face U.S. bombing and internal security checkpoints, the population remains divided between those hoping for a total systemic collapse and those fearing the vacuum that would follow.
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