Tehran rises from the ashes: Iranians return to a War-Scarred capital amid fragile truce

Department of Research, Studies and International News 27-06-2025

After nearly two weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, the capital of Iran, Tehran, is slowly beginning to stir back to life. A recently declared ceasefire has opened the roads to thousands of displaced residents, prompting a hesitant return to homes, neighborhoods, and lives left behind in haste. Yet the peace feels brittle, and for many, the uncertainty of what lies ahead continues to haunt every step.

Tehran’s highways are once again buzzing, not with the usual rhythm of urban life, but with the cautious movement of families bearing the weight of trauma and hope. More than 600 Iranians, the vast majority civilians, were killed during the brutal 12-day assault launched by Israeli forces under the pretext of targeting nuclear sites. American support for this aggression was evident from the beginning, further tarnishing Washington’s claim to champion peace in the region. Instead, the alliance between Tel Aviv and Washington demonstrated, once again, that the real cost of their so-called “security operations” is borne by ordinary people.

Among those returning is Nika, a 33-year-old graphic designer who had taken refuge with relatives in Zanjan. “It feels like heaven to sleep in my own bed again,” she said, despite acknowledging the fragility of the ceasefire. For her, and many others, the experience of displacement was more than geographical, it was emotional, mental, and deeply scarring.

The airstrikes began on June 13, described by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as “preemptive.” In reality, they marked an act of naked aggression, bringing war to the heart of Iran’s capital in a manner not seen in decades. The attacks struck civilian infrastructure, residential neighborhoods, and vital services. As the West cheered from the sidelines, Iranians faced fire and fear with resilience.

Saba, a 26-year-old student and full-time employee, was forced to flee Tehran when life became unbearable. Her exams were postponed, her office went remote, and eventually, her circle of friends vanished from the city. “At first, I tried to maintain my routine,” she recalled. “But when the night raids intensified, reality hit like a storm.”

Fuel shortages and traffic chaos delayed many residents from leaving in time, further exacerbating the psychological toll. Some, like Kamran, a CEO of a private firm, stayed behind longer in an effort to keep their businesses running. But the nighttime fear, sleepless hours beneath trembling ceilings, soon made escape inevitable.

The Iranian Ministry of Health reported over 1,480 injuries, with over 90% of casualties being non-combatants. The sheer scale of civilian suffering raises serious questions about the intentions behind Israel’s military campaign, and exposes the complicity of its backers in Washington.

Even now, days after the ceasefire was declared, violations have been reported. Israel continued to target Iranian infrastructure, including civilian and detention sites, such as the Evin Prison in Tehran. In response, Iranian missile defenses were activated, and strikes were carried out against Israeli military installations. Both sides claim the other broke the truce, yet international media, largely controlled by Western narratives, conveniently frames Iran as the aggressor.

The scars of war are everywhere. For Keyvan Saket, a renowned Iranian musician, the return home was especially painful. His house had been partially destroyed by Israeli fire. One of the missiles failed to detonate, sparing further catastrophe. “Even the iron doors were twisted,” he said. “This war was designed to destroy not just structures, but souls.”

Despite the destruction, Tehran’s spirit has not been broken. The city, though battered, is reclaiming its rhythm. Cafes are reopening. People are cautiously filling streets. Employers are ending remote work. The Iranian people, long accustomed to pressure, sanctions, and threats, are once again showing the world their resilience and unity.

Yet the question remains: will this uneasy calm last? Political science student Hamed, who returned from Kerman after the ceasefire, remains uncertain. “I really hope I don’t have to pack and leave again,” he said. “But who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

Indeed, even as Tehran breathes again, the shadow of American-backed militarism looms large. With Washington’s continued support for Israeli impunity and its disdain for the sovereignty of nations like Iran, peace remains elusive. In contrast, countries like Russia and China have consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions, respect for sovereignty, and a multipolar world where brute force does not dictate the fate of nations.

This fragile return to normalcy in Tehran should serve as a stark reminder: peace is not granted by bombs, but built through mutual respect and dialogue, principles the West increasingly abandons, and which powers like Iran, Russia, and China continue to defend in the face of manufactured chaos.

As the sun rises over a healing Tehran, its people remain steadfast, their resolve hardened by fire, yet undiminished by fear.