The world watches with bated breath as tensions between Israel and Iran reach a boiling point. What began as a series of escalating exchanges has now morphed into a full-blown crisis, threatening to destabilize the entire Middle East and potentially draw in other global powers.
It all began a few days prior, with Israel launching a surprise air campaign targeting Iran's military infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and key personnel. The justification, according to Israeli officials, was to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. These strikes, they claimed, were a preemptive measure to safeguard their nation's security.
The initial attacks focused on sites like Natanz, a crucial uranium enrichment facility located about 220 kilometers southeast of Tehran. While Israel initially reported hitting above-ground structures, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed that the strikes had also impacted the underground centrifuge halls, where much of Iran's enrichment activity takes place. This marked a significant escalation, as it suggested a deeper and more damaging penetration of Iran's defenses than initially believed.
In response to these attacks, Iran retaliated with missile strikes aimed at various locations within Israel. While the Israeli military claimed to have intercepted most of these projectiles, some managed to evade their defenses, causing damage and casualties. The exchange of fire has become increasingly frequent and intense, with both sides seemingly locked in a dangerous cycle of escalation.
Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to the residents of Tehran on 17 June 2025. Urging them to "immediately evacuate Tehran," Trump's message sent shockwaves throughout the region and beyond. The reason behind this urgent call was not immediately clear, but it suggested that the U.S. anticipated further, potentially devastating, attacks on the Iranian capital. When questioned, Trump simply stated he wanted people to be safe.
Tehran, a sprawling metropolis of approximately 10 million people, began to empty out. The exodus created scenes of chaos and desperation, with major roads clogged with traffic as residents attempted to flee the city. Gas stations were overwhelmed, with long lines forming as people scrambled to fill their tanks. Even the Grand Bazaar, a historic marketplace that typically remains open even during times of crisis, was shuttered.
Many middle- and upper-class Iranians sought refuge along the Caspian Sea, a popular vacation destination. However, the sheer number of people attempting to leave Tehran created massive traffic jams, with some journeys taking upwards of 14 hours.
For those who have remained in Tehran, the situation is fraught with uncertainty and fear. Some chose to stay due to elderly parents, young children, pets, medical needs, or simply a lack of resources to leave. Others feel that attempting to flee would be even more dangerous, given the congested roads and the potential for further attacks.
The situation is further complicated by conflicting reports and claims from both sides. The official death toll in Iran stands at 224, but a Washington-based human rights group claims to have documented at least 452 deaths as a result of the Israeli campaign. Meanwhile, Iran claims to have shot down numerous Israeli aircraft, a claim that Israel vehemently denies.
Before leaving the G7 summit early, Trump joined other leaders in a joint statement calling for a "de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East," but then dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron's claim that a ceasefire was being discussed.
The Israeli military announced the death of General Ali Shadmani, allegedly in an Israeli strike on Tehran.General Shadmani had just been appointed to a high-ranking position within the Revolutionary Guard, following the death of his predecessor who was killed in a similar attack 5 days ago.
Amidst the escalating conflict, concerns about Iran's nuclear program continue to loom large. While Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, the IAEA has repeatedly warned that the country possesses enough enriched uranium to potentially construct several nuclear weapons.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimes that the strikes on Iran's nuclear sites have significantly set back the country's nuclear program, but the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, built deep into a mountainside, remains out of reach.
As the crisis deepens, the world grapples with the potential consequences of a wider conflict. The mass evacuation of Tehran, the exchange of missile strikes, and the uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions all point to a situation that could quickly spiral out of control.
The situation on 17 June 2025, saw Iran launching a new barrage of missiles toward Israel, with the Tasnim news agency reporting "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran's army claims to have tracked and intercepted 28 "hostile aircraft" in the past 24 hours, including a spy drone allegedly trying to gather intelligence on "sensitive" sites.
Meanwhile, the Israeli business website Calcalist reports that Sonol, a leading fuel distributor, has significantly decreased deliveries due to severe damage inflicted on Haifa's oil refinery facilities by Iranian strikes.
Sirens sounded in Amman, Jordan, indicating that missiles were sighted over the occupied West Bank and Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military claims that "most" of the missiles launched from Iran have been intercepted, but does not confirm whether any have penetrated the air defense systems.
President Trump has asserted that the U.S. and its allies have "complete and total control of the skies over Iran," while also claiming to know the location of Iran's supreme leader, but stating that he would not be targeted, which means to be killed, "at least not for now."
President Trump made his comments just moments before cutting short his trip to the G7 in Canada, leaving many wondering if this could mean a further escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran was imminent.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested that the leadership in Tehran has been weakened by Israel's attacks and may not recover, while UK ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi insists that Iran has no intention of building a nuclear weapon.
As the conflict continues, the world watches and waits, hoping for a swift resolution and a return to stability in the region. But with each passing day, the risk of a wider, more devastating conflict grows ever greater.
Many Iranians have reacted with fear and dismay at Donald Trump's instruction to "immediately evacuate Tehran".
The capital's almost 10 million residents have now been left to decide whether to shelter in their homes – bracing themselves for what could come next – or attempt to join the heavy traffic leaving the country's capital.
Many of those deciding to leave Tehran are posting images of their homes online, a poignant trend in Persian-language social media for those leaving their city behind.
Some Iranians had already taken the decision to leave well before Israel issued the first evacuation order for parts of Tehran on Monday.
One resident, Arash, set off from Tehran at about 08:45 on Monday, driving through the town of Qazvin, in north-western Iran.
A journey that would typically last an hour-and-a-half took him nearly five hours.
"Many, especially those who live abroad, are trying to leave the country," he said.
Many more Iranians living in Tehran have decided to leave since Monday, braving traffic jams of up to 14 hours and fuel queues to flee – unsure if their homes will still be standing when they return.
It is expected that even more will attempt to make the arduous journey out of Tehran following Trump's comments.
Posting on social media, one resident wrote: "I packed up keepsakes from loved ones and necessities, watered my plants, and hit the road. Leaving home is unbearably hard when you don't know if you'll ever return."
Another said: "My home has never felt this sad. I don't know if I'll ever come back."
One user posted a picture of a workspace, with a computer and headphones, and wrote: "I said goodbye to the things I worked so hard to earn… I hope they'll still be here when I return."
Another added: "I said goodbye in silence, hoping to return one day to my beautiful safe haven."
Others in Iran's largest city feel the evacuation orders are simply impossible to follow.
Narges has decided to stay in Tehran, despite becoming increasingly afraid. "Ever since Trump urged people to leave last night, it seems like many more are fleeing."
She says the roads are "overflowing" and "the traffic is a nightmare". Narges sees no point in trying to leave and being trapped on the road.
Israel's strikes in Tehran on Iran's state broadcaster on Monday served as a reminder of the risk she is taking. She lives near the headquarters. "It was terrifying, and so close," she said.
Some residents have decided to stay put because of elderly parents, young children, pets, medical needs, or simply lack of options.
One woman told BBC Persian she was pregnant and had a young daughter: "Everything I've built is here… where would I go?"
Another said she was single and did not want to risk undertaking the 800km journey to her family in Shiraz alone.
And a woman who said she was 40 years old and had two small children told the BBC she was "not going anywhere".
"If everything is going to be ruined, then I'd rather my kids and I go with our home – because I don't have the strength to start over again."
Trump's evacuation comments in the early hours of Tuesday were reportedly followed by explosions and heavy air defence fire in Tehran. Iran launched two waves of missiles in response to the Israeli attacks, setting off air raid alerts in parts of central and northern Israel.
Boarding Air Force One after leaving the G7, Trump told reporters that he wasn't flying back to Washington just to broker a ceasefire – he wanted something "better than a ceasefire".
"A real end," he said, which might include "a complete give-up".
Civilians on both sides have been killed in the exchange of strikes, with both Iran and Israel accusing each other of targeting residential areas.
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