Life is full of uncertainty after days of aggressive strikes between Israel and Iran for civilians caught up in the Israeli bombing campaign.
“This is war,” Tehran, the 58-year-old father of two in the capital, told CNN, adding, “No one really understands what that means.”
A week after the conflict, contact with the outside world for Iranians is difficult, hampered by sporadic internet and telephone coverage. Some – usually wealthy activists – have access to StarLink terminals, which provide independent internet access.
Speaking through audio recordings, messages and occasional phone calls, all interviewed asked CNN not to reveal their full name for fear of retaliation from Iranian authorities.
Life has discovered a new wartime rhythm, they said, local shops are still open, but some are accepting credit payments, the two’s fathers told CNN. This credit, which cannot withdraw money from Iran’s Sepa Bank, has become a lifeline.
“We have electricity, but gasoline is useless for us, so we have nowhere to go outside of Tehran,” he said.
He glued to television after seeing London-based Iranian broadcasters illegal and said his family had not left their home recently.
“Daily life is full of constant fear and distrust,” he said.
Posted in Tehran, he was able to visit Karaj’s family over the weekend, but military rules in the capital prohibit him from using his mobile phone or other devices. “We can’t even check the news,” he said.
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