This article explores the daily struggles faced by Iranians during wartime, as a reporter recounts his return journey from Ahvaz to Tehran amidst fears and rumors of airstrikes.
My young child expressed his opposition to the idea of returning to our bombed home, stating, "I don't want to go back to Tehran, which is bombed day and night... the nightmare of fighter jets haunts me even in my dreams." After a forced displacement to the southwest of the country, we set an early hour to head towards the capital, Tehran, where the roads were bustling with cars and trucks.
Details of the Event
We had barely traveled 150 kilometers from Ahvaz when Persian radios reported an extraordinary news item about the downing of an American F-35 aircraft. This news piqued our curiosity, prompting us to stop at a gas station. There, one of the workers told me, "Don't believe everything that is published... it's an April Fool's joke," referring to the rumors that abound at this time of year.
As we continued our journey, the landscape along the road appeared greener than ever. My daughter wondered if the war had prevented people from tampering with the environment, or if the rains had contributed to this change. Nevertheless, the radios continued to broadcast news of the war, heightening our concerns about the safety of the road.
Background & Context
The towering electricity transmission towers lining the road reflect former President Donald Trump's threats to target Iranian energy facilities. Additionally, the bridges became a source of terror, as drivers rushed to cross them after the bombing of the "B1" bridge in Karaj. With each approaching bridge, anxiety grew over whether the next one would be a target.
Signs hanging near the tunnels bore warning phrases, reflecting the prevailing state of fear. However, for the first time, I felt that inside the tunnel was the safest place compared to outside, a feeling I had not anticipated before the war.
Impact & Consequences
Writings on the trucks express the nostalgia of Iranians for a quieter time, with one driver writing, "We mourn for our Iran" on the dust of his truck. This phrase reminds me of the tragedy of the "Minab School," where over 150 students lost their lives due to an American-Israeli bombing.
I stopped several times during the journey to refuel and take a break, and the shops were crowded with travelers. However, traffic congestion began after the city of Borujerd, making the journey take longer than usual.
Regional Significance
Upon arriving in Qom, the congestion was worse than we had anticipated, with travelers flowing in from various cities. Travelers spoke about their struggles to return to the capital, as those returning from the Nowruz holiday mixed with the displaced.
When we finally reached our home in Tehran, the feeling of returning was different. The house had become a point of fear, as my young child refused to enter, reflecting the psychological impact of the war on children. I remembered how he used to miss his room before the war, and now it had become a place that frightened him.