Desperate Iranians try to flee Israeli bombardments

Roads and highways out of Tehran were jammed over the weekend and Monday as frantic people sought to escape the capital. Many have headed north, where they have homes or places to go to along the Caspian Sea.

On Tuesday, an eerie calm had descended on the capital, although there was a rush of customers at some supermarkets and bakeries.

At least 224 people, including many civilians, have been killed in Iran since Israel launched its attack, according to Iranian state media. Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people in Israel, Israeli officials said.

Vahid Sadeghi, a 45-year-old marketing expert, said he and his wife, Sima, a homemaker, tried to leave Tehran after the bombing began but got stuck at a checkpoint, where a blast injured his wife and forced them to turn back.

State media had announced that the checkpoint was closed while local media reported an attack, but it was not immediately clear what exactly had occurred happened.

“We were fleeing for safety but almost got killed,” he said.

The couple plans to try to leave again but fear for their safety, regardless of whether they stay or go, he said.

Hopes of truce dimming

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was compelled to attack Iran on Friday to try and dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has long said it doesn’t seek nuclear weapons.

Vowing a “powerful” response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes soon after, with the two sides continuing to trade fire in the following days. Israeli strikes have decimated the ranks of senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.