Inside Iran, panic as strikes hit but for some it's a moment of relief

Iranians in multiple cities reported hearing loud explosions and experiencing panic on Tuesday morning as the country came under what appears to be a joint US-Israeli military attack, with many residents fleeing Tehran and the government implementing an almost total internet blackout amid escalating tensions following weeks of political unrest. Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of chaos near blast sites, with people running in panic amid screams and crying, while simultaneously showing celebrations among those who believe the regime's downfall can only come through military intervention. One particularly striking video featured a woman expressing unmistakable relief that Ayatollah Khamenei's residence had been hit, while another showed teenagers at a school dancing and chanting 'I love Trump' in response to the strikes. The attacks have triggered widespread panic buying, with long queues forming at petrol stations since Friday night and many Tehran residents evacuating to the northern regions near the Caspian Sea, which they perceive as safer areas. The near-total internet blackout has severely hampered communication, though some Iranians have briefly accessed the internet using SpaceX's Starlink satellite service and virtual private networks, allowing limited information to flow in and out of the country. BBC Persian has managed to reach several pro-regime figures in Tehran, who described hearing numerous explosions and the sound of fighter jets, with one noting that 'the atmosphere was tense and there was a sense of war in the air' as people rushed to stock up on canned food and retrieve children from schools. The situation has created deep divisions within Iranian society, with many expressing welcome for regime change even through military intervention, while others fear that air strikes alone may not topple the government and could instead lead to more brutal repression against civilians. Amid the confusion, some Iranians have posted emotional messages on social media in case they are killed in the strikes, with one writing 'If I die, don't forget that we exist too - those of us who oppose any military attack,' while another pleaded with others to 'look after our children' if anything happens to them. Public sentiment could shift dramatically if civilian casualties are confirmed, particularly after reports that an Israeli strike on a girls' school in Minab killed dozens of people, though these reports remain unverified and deeply mistrusted by many Iranians who blame both the regime and external forces for the violence.