The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday released audio from a citizen in Tehran describing what it is like on the ground as Operation Epic Fury rocks Iran.
“For us here, the war did not start four days ago. It started when we heard the first news about a build-up of forces in the region and preparations for war. Now that the war continues, we are constantly hearing explosions, and there is no more delay in this,” the unidentified civilian said.
The citizen said the frequency of explosions has made people so nervous that even everyday sounds can trigger panic attacks.
“You can expect a loud noise at any moment. This has made us so nervous that any loud noise, including the sound of a passing car, gives us a panic attack,” the citizen said.
Even with the sound of the explosions, the citizen, who said he was born and raised in Tehran, noticed that the city had become a ghost town as people fled the war or restricted their movements to protect themselves from air strikes.
Neighbors stand near a wrecked car with the flag of the Islamic Republic on March 5, 2026 in Tehran, Iran, looking at a building damaged in the Shahid Borujerdi residential complex in Tehran that was heavily bombed by Israel and the US during Operation Epic Fury on the morning of March 4. (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
“As a person who was born in this city and lived all his life, I have never seen the city so quiet,” the citizen said. “Some people from my city left. Many others stayed and tried to restrict movements to avoid getting caught up in the air raids on the city, which never seem to end. You don’t see people around. My city was a very big and busy city. I’m not used to seeing my city so calm and quiet.”
The US and Israel have carried out air and naval strikes on Iran since the operation began on Saturday. Iranian authorities say the operation has killed at least 1,230 people The Associated Press. In addition, six American service members were killed in Kuwait during the hostilities.
A wrecked car outside a building in the Shahid Borujerdi residential complex in southeastern Tehran on March 5, 2026, which was heavily bombed by Israel and the US during Operation Epic Fury on the morning of March 4. (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
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The ICRC has expressed concern about the situation in Iran, with the organization’s president saying on the first day of Operation Epic Fury that it could have “devastating consequences for civilians.”
“The military escalation in the Middle East is causing a dangerous chain reaction across the region, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.
In a statement issued a few days later, Spoljaric warned that “the scale of major military operations in the Middle East risks embroiling the region – and beyond – in a new large-scale armed conflict that will overwhelm any humanitarian response.”
“Without urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and respect the rules of war, more civilian lives will be lost,” Spoljaric added. “Citizens are already suffering the consequences of war.”
A view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city on March 2, 2026. (Contributor/Getty Images)
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According to the citizen, the Iranians on the ground are worried about the future and wonder how the war will proceed. Another fear among people is the possibility of running out of supplies.
“The supplies are available in the stores that are open and working. But what if the situation worsens or remains as it is now? Will the stocks being stockpiled be of any use, or will they be pointless in light of what could happen?” the citizen wondered.
“It’s especially more worrying for people like me, who have to care for people with medical complications that require special care. We’re under a lot of stress right now, worried about seeing what might happen next.”
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