Tehran, June 18 — Panic and confusion have gripped the Iranian capital after former U.S. President Donald Trump urged residents to “immediately evacuate Tehran,” sparking a mass exodus amid fears of further escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel.
The instruction, issued early Tuesday morning, has left Tehran’s nearly 10 million residents with a harrowing choice — remain in a city that may become the center of intensified hostilities or flee through gridlocked streets under growing fear and uncertainty.
While international journalists remain restricted by the Iranian government, BBC Persian and other outlets have received a flood of personal testimonies via interviews and social media. Many residents, fearful of repercussions, spoke anonymously.
One resident, Arash, described a five-hour journey from Tehran to Qazvin — a route that usually takes just 90 minutes. “Many, especially those who live abroad or have the means, are trying to leave the country,” he said.
Social media is awash with poignant images of homes left behind. One user posted a photo of their empty living room, with the caption: “I packed up keepsakes from loved ones and necessities, watered my plants, and hit the road. Leaving home is unbearably hard when you don’t know if you’ll ever return.”
Another resident wrote: “My home has never felt this sad. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back.”
Many others, however, remain trapped in Tehran — unable or unwilling to leave. Narges, who lives near the state broadcaster’s headquarters, said she felt staying was safer than being stuck in 14-hour traffic or running out of fuel. “The traffic is a nightmare. The roads are overflowing. I’d rather stay than risk the journey.”
Some residents are staying due to elderly family members, children, or lack of any viable destination. One pregnant woman with a young daughter asked: “Everything I’ve built is here… where would I go?”
A 40-year-old mother of two declared she would not flee. “If everything is going to be ruined, then I’d rather my kids and I go with our home — because I don’t have the strength to start over again.”
Israel’s surprise strike last week on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, military commanders, and scientists ignited the latest phase in the ongoing shadow war. Iranian state media report at least 224 people killed in the Israeli attacks, while Israeli officials say Tehran’s retaliatory missile strikes have left 24 dead in Israeli cities.
Both countries accuse each other of targeting civilians. A photo from Tehran showed Iranian Red Crescent workers digging through rubble in a residential area struck by Israeli missiles.
Trump’s dramatic comments came just before he abruptly cut short his appearance at the G7 summit in Canada. When pressed by reporters on Air Force One, he said he wasn’t returning to Washington to broker peace. “I want something better than a ceasefire,” he said. “A real end. A complete give-up.”
With tensions mounting and no clear diplomatic path ahead, Iranians are left bracing for what could come next — either from within the capital or from the road, hoping for safety and a future beyond war.