Massive Traffic Jams, Fuel Shortages, and Soaring Costs as Families Seek Safety
Thousands of Tehran residents are fleeing the Iranian capital amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, triggering widespread panic, traffic gridlock, and shortages of essential supplies.
Eyewitnesses report severe congestion on exit routes from the city, as families rush to escape what many fear could become a full-scale war. Petrol stations were overwhelmed on Monday, with queues stretching for kilometres, while much of the usually bustling city of over 15 million appeared eerily quiet.
The panic follows a stark warning issued Saturday by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who threatened that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues launching missile attacks on Israeli civilian targets. Katz reiterated his message on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), saying the people of Tehran will bear the consequences of further aggression.
With tensions at a boiling point, many residents are heading eastward, where conditions are still considered relatively safe. Meanwhile, Israel’s air force has stepped up its campaign along Iran’s western borders, home to key military installations, further heightening fears in the capital.
Northern Iran’s Caspian Sea region, typically a tourist destination, has become a major refuge for displaced families. One such resident, 35-year-old teacher Zadshad, fled with his family to the northern city of Rasht. A journey that would normally take four hours stretched over an entire day due to traffic.
“Now that we’ve arrived, it’s no better,” Zadshad said. “The shops are overcrowded and there is a shortage of food. Living in these conditions is really hard.”
Accommodation prices in these safer areas have surged dramatically. Another Iranian family hoping to cross into Turkey said they borrowed €5,000 (about $5,770) just to afford the journey and reunite with their daughter in Istanbul.
“We’re waiting for the roads to clear and looking for the safest border crossing,” the father said.
But not everyone has been able to leave. A government official from Tehran attempted to drive toward Azerbaijan with his elderly mother, acting on advice from a relative in the United States. They were forced to return due to severe traffic, fuel shortages, and health concerns.
“We’re now waiting for better conditions to try again,” he said.
As the conflict continues to escalate, anxiety is mounting for those left behind in Tehran, unsure of what the coming days may bring.
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