Pakistani nationals fleeing Iran have recounted harrowing experiences of explosions and missile strikes that have violently shaken Tehran, causing buildings to erupt in flames and billow thick smoke. The once-bustling Iranian capital now appears eerily deserted, with many residents having fled amid the escalating conflict. These attacks have not only devastated infrastructure but have also instilled widespread fear among the remaining population.
The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has dramatically intensified in recent days. Notably, a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in naval hostilities. Meanwhile, NATO forces successfully intercepted and destroyed an Iranian missile launched toward Turkey, highlighting the expanding geographical scope of the confrontation. This volatile situation has forced governments across the region to urgently coordinate the evacuation of their citizens, as much of the region’s airspace remains closed due to the high risk of missile strikes targeting civilian aircraft.
Among those who have escaped is Hareem Zahra, a 23-year-old engineering student at Tehran University. She described the terrifying moment when a powerful explosion shook her university building while she was attending class. “We witnessed thick smoke rising from multiple burning buildings,” she shared after crossing into Pakistan. Hareem emphasized that the attacks on Tehran continued unabated right up until her departure, underscoring the relentless nature of the bombardment.
Mudassir Tipu, Pakistan’s ambassador to Tehran, nearly 1,000 Pakistanis—including students, businesspeople, and pilgrims—have managed to flee Iran since the outbreak of hostilities. This is out of an estimated 35,000 Pakistanis residing in the country. Ambassador Tipu highlighted the severe challenges faced during this crisis, particularly the widespread internet blackout affecting most parts of Iran, which complicates communication and coordination efforts for those stranded.
In retaliation for the US and Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, Tehran has launched a series of ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf region. Countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have been targeted, further broadening the conflict and raising fears of a wider regional war. The capital city of Tehran, once vibrant and bustling, now resembles a ghost town, as described by Nadir Abbas, a 25-year-old student of Persian literature, who has witnessed the city’s rapid decline in activity and population.
Sakhi Aun Mohammad, a medical sciences student at Tehran University, recounted how the initial missile strike occurred near his hospital. After crossing into Pakistan, he received a call from an Iranian friend who expressed relief at his safety but informed him that his hostel had been hit in the attack. This personal account illustrates the indiscriminate nature of the strikes and the widespread damage inflicted upon civilian infrastructure.
A Pakistani diplomat still stationed in Tehran painted a grim picture of the ongoing violence, noting that missile attacks occur every four to five hours. He described a recent incident where a missile struck a building adjacent to his office, causing the ground to tremble as if an explosion had erupted directly beneath his feet. His observations of collapsed buildings and widespread fires during a nighttime evacuation underscore the scale of destruction and the peril faced by those remaining in the city. He concluded by likening Tehran to a ghost town, a stark testament to the devastation wrought by the conflict.
