Tehran Exodus: Millions Attempt to Flee Amidst Rising Fears

Panic grips Tehran as residents desperately attempt to escape the city, facing blocked roads and mounting anxieties. Recent statements from global leaders have intensified the urgency, sparking a mass exodus and raising serious questions about the feasibility of evacuation.

Chaotic Departures

Many are attempting to leave Tehran, yet traffic remains severely congested, mirroring the conditions of the past few days. One family’s journey, which usually takes three hours, stretched to 14, with them considering themselves fortunate to escape. Similar relief was expressed by others who had successfully left, while worrying about relatives and friends unable to depart.

“The roads are literally blocked, so it’s rather irrational to just go and get stuck in the traffic jam for now,” a friend informed me tonight, in response to a query about their departure plans.

Uncertainty and Anxiety

Calls for residents to evacuate have been issued by both Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. Messaging apps are flooded with political discussions and warnings about potential targets.

“I’m so exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I haven’t slept for four nights now,” someone said a few minutes ago in the group chat for a community of video game streamers.

— Anonymous, Video Game Streamer

One individual questioned how ten million people could possibly evacuate Tehran, a query that received no response. The mass exodus highlights the challenge of moving large populations; for example, over 2 million people were displaced after the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes (Reliefweb, 2024).

The Evacuation Question

The question of how to evacuate such a vast population remains unanswered. As the clock struck 4:30 a.m. in Tehran, some were already awake, while others were just beginning to stir.

The situation presents a complex and urgent challenge, with residents grappling with the daunting task of escape, leaving many wondering about their options.