Life in Tehran After the June 2025 Strikes

An unprecedented air campaign began on June 13, 2025, when Israeli forces struck a wide range of military and nuclear facilities inside Iran, including sites linked to uranium enrichment and research. The strikes and the swift Iranian missile and drone retaliation produced a brief but intense conflict that disrupted daily life across many provinces; hospitals were overwhelmed in some areas and neighbourhoods near targeted installations sustained serious damage.

On June 22 the United States carried out long‑range strikes that used massive bunker‑busting munitions and cruise missiles against the Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan complexes, and international inspectors were temporarily sidelined while technical teams assessed damage and contamination risks. The IAEA emphasised the grave hazards of attacking nuclear sites and reported that Natanz had been impacted but showed no elevated radiation beyond the site perimeters.

In Tehran, residents moved between cautious normality and sharp disruption. Fuel and water supplies were strained, banks limited cash withdrawals and internet access was restricted at times, forcing people to rely on local markets and neighbours. State authorities detained large numbers of suspects during and after the fighting, and some people accused of espionage were executed, which deepened fear in many communities.

Although a ceasefire brought fighting to an end after twelve days, reconstruction and the restoration of public confidence will take time. Many families have begun repairing homes and shops, yet the combination of physical damage, economic strain and political repression means recovery is likely to be slow and uneven. International aid and inspections will be essential to recovery.