By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

Video: Reuters Press

TEHRAN, Iran – Thousands of residents in the Iranian capital of Tehran are reportedly fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies, gripped by fear that Israel’s ongoing airstrike campaign against Iran will escalate further in the coming days.

Reports from Tehran describe traffic jams on major highways leading out of the city, as many seek refuge in smaller towns and rural areas. Citizens are rushing to markets to purchase food, cooking gas, and water, reflecting deep anxieties about the conflict’s potential impact on daily life and the availability of necessities. Pharmacies are also experiencing a surge in demand for medicines, particularly from the elderly who fear potential shortages.

The Israeli military has reportedly issued messages warning Iranian civilians to evacuate certain areas for their safety, further fueling the panic. These warnings raise the prospect of an expanded aerial bombardment campaign by Israel, which has already carried out strikes on military, nuclear, and energy infrastructure across Iran.

Iranian authorities have dismissed Israel’s messages as “psychological warfare” and urged the population not to panic. However, state television has aired footage confirming the extensive traffic leaving the capital. Residents have described nights filled with explosions, some powerful enough to shake buildings, leading families to rush to basements and struggle to calm frightened children. Concerns are also being raised about Tehran’s inadequate public bomb shelter infrastructure.

The escalating conflict, which has seen both sides launch missile strikes and caused civilian casualties in both Iran and Israel, has spread a pervasive sense of dread across the Islamic Republic. While some daily activities continue, the visible signs of a population preparing for the worst underscore the profound impact of the rising tensions.