Mass Exodus: Tehran Witnesses Thousands of Iranians Leaving City En Masse
Exodus is sweeping across Iran's capital, Tehran, as local residents are scrambling to escape the chaos caused by the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. Stretching highways and clogged streets tell the tale of a city on the move.
Tehran, a city of over 15 million inhabitants, now grapples with empty streets in some parts, creating a ghost-town atmosphere due to fuel scarcity. Eyewitnesses have reported lines for miles at gas stations and quiet corners of the metropolis.
Many inhabitants are packing their essential belongings and fleeing towards the east, a region relatively safe from the ongoing tensions, and the north, a popular tourist destination. The western part of the city, where Israel's air force has been relentless in its aerial attacks since past Friday, has become a hazardous zone.
Sajjad, a 35-year-old teacher, ventured towards Rasht, a calm city near the Caspian Sea, a journey that usually takes around four hours but took him over a day to complete. Even upon arriving, he is not relieved. "The shops are crowded, food supplies are running low, and accommodation prices have skyrocketed," he laments, fearing the prolonged war.
Another family is desperately trying to reach Turkey, hoping that their 60-year-old journalist son can reunite with their daughter in Istanbul. "I borrowed 5,000 euros from a friend in hope that the situation calms down," says the father. But for the moment, they are waiting for the traffic to clear and deciding on the most suitable border crossing for their journey.
Not all are fortunate enough to escape. A civil servant from Tehran was planning to head towards Azerbaijan, advised by his brother in the United States. But heavy traffic, fuel shortages, and poor health conditions of an 82-year-old mother forced them to return to Tehran, waiting for better circumstances to try again.
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, had warned Tehran that its residents will bear the brunt of retaliation. Amid the ongoing hostilities, families and friends are striving to separate themselves from the impending danger, if they can.
- Iran
- Iran Conflict*
- Melting Pot Megacity*
Enrichment Data:
The Objective Exodus from Tehran
The forced departure from Tehran is driven by a confluence of urgent factors, each amplifying the other, ultimately leading to widespread displacement.
- Deadly Israeli Airstrikes: A severe escalation in Israeli airstrikes targeting war zones, key military bases, and even infrastructure like government buildings and civilian areas within Tehran and beyond.
- Pervasive Fear and Instability: The heightened militaristic tension, marked by repeated missile strikes, escalating casualties, and the targeting of the capital, creates an atmosphere of anxiety, forcing many Tehran residents to make a hasty departure.
- Disruption of Daily Life: A decline in normalcy and economic activities in Tehran, including the closure of landmarks such as the historic bazaar, exacerbates the need for residents to find safer havens.
Urban Disruption and Humanitarian Concerns
The mass exodus has resulted in disruptions on the city's infrastructure, with heavy traffic on major highways, impending supply shortages, and increased demand for transportation and shelter.
Economic Consequences
The exodus of residents and merchants along with market closures disrupts trade, commerce, and financial ecosystems, leaving a legacy of economic turmoil on a city already grappling with the weight of ongoing conflict.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers in Tehran, who are exposed to the risks related to the ongoing war and conflicts, particularly ionizing radiation from potential airstrikes.
- Meanwhile, global news outlets are reporting on the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as their impact on the country's political landscape, in addition to covering developments in crime and justice, such as the directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation exposure.
