Tehran’s residents are fleeing the city in droves to escape Israeli airstrikes, leading to severe traffic congestion on major roads heading north. Social media footage, verified by AFP, captured a highway out of Tehran packed with slow-moving cars, while the opposite lane remained nearly empty.
On Friday, Israel launched unexpected air raids across Iran, targeting sites it claims are linked to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a claim Iran denies. Iranian officials report at least 224 deaths, including military leaders, atomic scientists, and civilians. In response, Iran fired retaliatory strikes on Israel, killing 24 people, according to Israeli authorities. Iran has closed its civilian airspace due to the attacks, forcing residents to rely on land routes to leave Tehran, the primary target of Israel’s campaign. Israel has urged Iranians to avoid military sites in the heavily secured capital.
Videos shared by Persian-language TV channels, such as Iran International and Manoto, and prominent bloggers like Vahid Online, show long lines of barely moving cars on Highway 49, which connects Tehran to Chalus in Mazandaran province, about 150 kilometers north. The Caspian Sea region, popular for its mild climate and holiday homes, remains unaffected and is a common destination for Tehranis. Social media also revealed hundreds of cars lined up at gas stations in Tehran and nearby Karaj as people prepared for long journeys.
While air travel is halted, land borders remain open, with unverified footage showing crowds at the Bazargan crossing into Turkey near Dogubayazit. The ongoing conflict has sparked widespread fear, driving residents to seek safety outside the capital.
