Tehran, the Iranian capital, is experiencing a sense of normalcy despite the ongoing war, with residents adapting to the new reality.
According to BBC Persian, Sahar, a woman in her 20s, has been spending most days sheltering at home, cooking, reading, and playing a life simulation video game.
Sahar, whose name has been changed for safety reasons, recently found out that a woman she had gone to school with had been killed, with her body still not found.
War's Impact on Daily Life
Peyman, a man in his 30s, described the city as empty, with the metro and streets being very quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling atmosphere, especially with Nowruz, the Persian New Year festival, approaching.
Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, is usually a time for celebration, but this year, the city's markets and streets are not crowded with people buying sweets and nuts for guests.
Seeking Safety
Some residents, like Mina, a woman in her 20s, have left Tehran to seek safety elsewhere, with Mina now in the city of Rasht, where there have been fewer attacks.
Tehran and its surrounding province have a population of 14 million, but some residents have headed north towards the Caspian Sea in search of safety.
Communication Challenges
The internet outage imposed by the government has made it difficult to contact those inside Iran, but tech-savvy residents have been using Starlink devices to connect to the outside world.
Mehran, in his 20s, has been sharing his Starlink connection with at least 25 other people, despite the risk of punishment, which can be up to two years in prison.
Humanitarian Concerns
Monitoring organisation NetBlocks reported that the internet blackout in Iran had entered its 12th day, with connectivity still at just 1% of ordinary levels.
Residents like Shima, a woman in her 20s, are relying on Starlink connections to stay in touch with loved ones abroad, despite the high cost and risks involved.
