Panic Grips Tehran as Families Flee Amid Fears of Full-Scale War with Israel

Widespread panic has swept through Iran’s capital, Tehran, as residents flee the city in growing numbers amid fears of intensifying attacks from Israel, following days of high-stakes military escalation.

Roads leading out of the capital, especially toward northern rural regions near the Caspian Sea, have become heavily congested, as families pack into cars loaded with suitcases, food supplies, and water containers strapped to the roofs.

“I don’t want to leave my home, but I’m not going to put my young children in this position,” said one father, who fled with his wife, two children, and elderly parents. “I hope the US steps in to stop this madness.”

● Fuel Runs Low, Tensions Run High

In Shiraz, another major Iranian city, residents formed long queues at petrol stations, with many waiting over an hour to fill their tanks before hitting the road. Shops are also witnessing panic buying of food, bottled water, and baby supplies, such as diapers.

Families told CNN that the uncertainty surrounding the government’s military strategy has amplified their fears. Some believe Iranian officials and military leaders have been housed in densely populated, upper-middle-class neighbourhoods, putting civilians directly in harm’s way.

● Netanyahu’s Threat Escalates Anxiety

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified rhetoric, declaring that Israel will “strike every site and every target of the Ayatollah’s regime,” sparking speculation that airstrikes on Tehran may be imminent.

The statement has only deepened civilian anxieties, pushing thousands to evacuate from what they fear could become military zones.

● A Region on the Edge

As international observers call for urgent de-escalation, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. With fuel shortages, food insecurity, and mass displacement on the rise, Iran's population is bracing for what many fear could become an all-out war.

For now, families are hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough — or at least a pause in the violence — before the situation spirals beyond return.