June 24, 2025, 9:22 a.m. ET
As dawn broke on Tuesday morning, Tehran witnessed a harrowing night of devastating airstrikes, marking one of the most intense periods of military assault since the conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13. Eyewitness accounts described the sky battered by fireballs as the attacks rained down on the capital city. The violence culminated in a cease-fire announcement from President Trump shortly before local dawn, which was confirmed by Iranian state television soon after.
According to local residents, the relentless bombardments created an atmosphere of dread. Residents reported extensive destruction illuminated by large flames and massive plumes of smoke. Mariam, a 54-year-old art gallery owner, expressed her fear in a voice message, revealing she and her son sought refuge with family due to the escalating danger. The Israeli military had previously urged evacuations in certain districts, including some densely populated areas in central Tehran.
Amid the chaos, journalists and citizens alike documented the turmoil on social media. Mostafa Shams, a local journalist, described the sounds of explosions as ceaseless, while Amir, a resident, captured video footage of the destruction unfolding outside his home. Alireza, a graduate student, candidly shared his fears of survival as darkness enveloped the city, compounded by widespread power outages affecting numerous neighborhoods.
Roya, a resident of Tehran, recounted the terror faced by families huddled in stairwells, clinging to hope amid the fear. Meanwhile, Ramin, from a western suburb, noted a migration of fearful residents into the streets, expressing disbelief that they might survive the night’s violence. He later celebrated the cease-fire announcement, though caution remained amid hopes for a lasting peace.
Farnaz Fassihi, reporting for The Times, has been following the unfolding situation closely, armed with years of experience covering conflicts in the Middle East. As the dust settles, the world watches to see whether this cease-fire can bring a reprieve to a city caught in the crossfire of war.
As dawn broke on Tuesday morning, Tehran witnessed a harrowing night of devastating airstrikes, marking one of the most intense periods of military assault since the conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13. Eyewitness accounts described the sky battered by fireballs as the attacks rained down on the capital city. The violence culminated in a cease-fire announcement from President Trump shortly before local dawn, which was confirmed by Iranian state television soon after.
According to local residents, the relentless bombardments created an atmosphere of dread. Residents reported extensive destruction illuminated by large flames and massive plumes of smoke. Mariam, a 54-year-old art gallery owner, expressed her fear in a voice message, revealing she and her son sought refuge with family due to the escalating danger. The Israeli military had previously urged evacuations in certain districts, including some densely populated areas in central Tehran.
Amid the chaos, journalists and citizens alike documented the turmoil on social media. Mostafa Shams, a local journalist, described the sounds of explosions as ceaseless, while Amir, a resident, captured video footage of the destruction unfolding outside his home. Alireza, a graduate student, candidly shared his fears of survival as darkness enveloped the city, compounded by widespread power outages affecting numerous neighborhoods.
Roya, a resident of Tehran, recounted the terror faced by families huddled in stairwells, clinging to hope amid the fear. Meanwhile, Ramin, from a western suburb, noted a migration of fearful residents into the streets, expressing disbelief that they might survive the night’s violence. He later celebrated the cease-fire announcement, though caution remained amid hopes for a lasting peace.
Farnaz Fassihi, reporting for The Times, has been following the unfolding situation closely, armed with years of experience covering conflicts in the Middle East. As the dust settles, the world watches to see whether this cease-fire can bring a reprieve to a city caught in the crossfire of war.
