Videos distributed by Tehran show rescue teams pulling women out of craters several meters deep under buildings. The women are barefoot, crying, ARD reports. These videos are not subject to independent verification, but other footage also shows residential neighborhoods hit by American and Israeli missiles.
AFP reporters spoke to a resident of the Iranian capital. "I was just watching the news when the chandelier suddenly collapsed and the whole room filled with smoke. "Then the doors, windows and many of my things were broken," he says.
Attacks on military bases and police stations
According to their own data, Israel and the US have mainly attacked military targets, as well as police stations. But the surrounding residential areas have not been left unscathed. Many are wondering - should I flee or stay?
"Honestly, I would like to stay. I will stay in Tehran", a local resident told ARD. "Where should I go? I think I should stay in Tehran. It is better to be at home."
People do not have shelters, there are no underground bunkers, respectively, they are completely defenseless against the attacks. The Red Crescent reports more than 780 deaths. The human rights organization HRANA, for its part, reported 225 proven cases of killed civilians.
Homage to the Ayatollah and calls for battle
At the same time, supporters of the regime are honoring the memory of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei - they are walking through the streets of Tehran with unfurled flags. Using the death, Foreign Minister Abbas tried to raise the fighting spirit in a televised address: "The enemies thought that his martyrdom would defeat us, but it made us stronger than ever. Shiism grows through blood - through the blood of martyrs. And it advances step by step".
For Iran, this also means turning to neighboring countries, as stated by the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Nikzad. ARD quotes him as saying: "Any neighboring country that cooperates with the US or Israel in their attacks will face an unprecedented and devastating response".
So far, Iran has mainly attacked US targets in neighboring countries: the US embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by two drones. The US has called on its citizens in many Middle Eastern countries to evacuate.
Author: Lisi Kafuman (ARD)