As US and Israeli missiles rained down on Iran on February 28, Iranians found their access to the internet cut, as it was during the brutal repression of nationwide protests in early January. Internet traffic dropped to one percent of normal activity, and calls from overseas were blocked, even via landlines.
The FRANCE 24 Observers team managed to contact two Iranians during the bombardments. They described hearing the first air strikes, then the news of the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and the impact of the strikes on their lives and hopes for the future.
'We were happy to hear Khamenei is dead'
Dariush [not his real name] is a man in his 40s who works in the private sector.
“When the attacks started I was at work. You might not believe it, but many of my colleagues were almost expecting this to happen, given the massacre that had occurred. People were happy in a sense; it was different from the last time that Israel attacked, in June 2025.
Of course, I also had a feeling of fear - fear because the air strikes were hitting around my house. We could hear the sound of missiles nearby.
That night when the news about the death of Khamenei came, the whole neighbourhood started celebrating. From the windows, we could hear their voices of joy. We were happy. Everyone was happy.”
'Even with millions of people in the streets, you can’t accomplish anything'
Simin [not her real name] is another resident of Tehran. She also expressed her support for the air strikes.
“The horrific massacre that happened in early January made it clear: we understood that even with millions of people in the streets, you can’t accomplish anything. You cannot topple a regime that is ready to kill thousands to survive, so it definitely has to happen from outside. That’s why everyone was ready for war.”
Dariush agreed that the January 2026 repression played a role in Iranians’ reactions to the US and Israeli assault.
“I want to say I am not happy that war has broken out. For us to achieve freedom, war is the only option. Iranians have tried other options, but they didn’t work.
If people are happy, it’s also because it means they get a small measure of revenge for the massacre that took place, which gives them some comfort. And also - for once - some hope for change.
Many people disapproved of the 2025 war and were not happy at all; it had perhaps even united the people behind the regime. But after the massacre we endured in early January, everyone thinks that change could not be achieved through other means.”
'Support for the strikes could fade away'
But Dariush warns that Iranians’ support for the US and Israeli strikes is not unconditional, citing incidents such as an attack on a school in the southern city of Minab in which the regime claims that 105 people were killed, and on the historic Golestan Palace in Tehran.
“For now many ordinary Iranians are supporting these attacks. But if eventually their businesses, hospitals, schools, and shops get damaged, support for the strikes could fade away. They might have the sentiment that they are the ones being attacked, that their lives are in danger. News reports being shown on state media show only civilians who have been killed, notably at the school in Minab. Reports like that could make Iranians’ hope disappear.
Just now, seeing news about the attack on Tehran's market today, and also a report I saw about damage to Golestan Palace and some other historical sites, I must say we don't like it. If this continues, that scares people and they become less supportive of the attacks.”
'I am ready to die. Life under the Islamic Republic is not living'
The hatred toward the regime is so deep among some Iranians that they say they are would prefer to die rather than live under the Islamic Republic. Simin is one of them.
“I am truly ready to die. Obviously, I would prefer to stay alive so I can enjoy the good life we could have in Iran after the fall of the Islamic Republic. But the life we have now under the Islamic Republic can barely be called living. There's a big difference between merely getting through the days and truly living. This isn’t life. That’s why, yes, I can say that I’m ready to die.”
Unlike during the 12-day war in 2025, when many residents of Tehran fled the capital for other cities, this time many have decided to stay. Both Dariush and Simin say they and other residents are convinced that the Israel-USA coalition attacks are precise and will not hit the civilians. However, Dariush emphasizes that there’s another reason:
“There’s also a second reason: this time many people are waiting for when the military campaign ends, so that if necessary, they can take to the streets and topple the regime. I hope Iran becomes free one day, and that all these fears and horrors become only a distant memory.”