# Escalation in the Middle East: Israel's Strikes on Iran Prompt Alarm

The ramifications of this conflict ripple across the region, as civilians recount the traumatic events of a devastating night.

On June 13, 2025, Iran experienced a wave of bombings unlike anything seen in decades. Over 200 Israeli warplanes unleashed hundreds of bombs on Iranian cities during the early hours, filling the night with chaos and fear. Dazed residents emerged to the sound of explosions that shattered their once-quiet environment. Many took to social media and voice notes to share their harrowing experiences, although a fragile internet connection complicated their ability to communicate.

Shakiba, a 37-year-old occupational therapist residing in Tehran, expressed fear and uncertainty during the attacks, noting that she had just settled in for the night with her two cats when the strikes began. "The first sound was really shocking, because we were not ready," she shared. Concerned about her elderly patients, who were unable to flee their homes due to health issues, she reached out to offer comfort but found it hard to provide reassurance amidst the chaos.

With her patients barricaded in their homes and the street outside fraught with danger, Shakiba witnessed the community's anxiety unfold. "The woman on the phone cried, 'I was really afraid because we can't move.' I tried to make her sure that it would not happen again, but I was not sure about that myself," she recalled, reflecting the shared sentiment of dread that permeated through Tehran as the attacks continued.

As news reports circulate and Iranians share their accounts, the events bring back memories of the tumultuous Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict. The future remains uncertain as citizens grapple with the reality of the escalating violence and its potential implications on their everyday lives.