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'I just want to be able to sleep': Attacks in Iran rock cities and cut power

March 10, 2026

Iranian residents in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj are experiencing severe psychological and physical strain following ten consecutive days of Israeli and US military strikes that began on February 28th. The attacks, which Israel describes as targeting Revolutionary Guard facilities and weapons infrastructure, have caused widespread power outages, damaged homes, and created constant fear among civilians who report explosions occurring every few hours. According to a US-based human rights organization, over 1,700 people have been killed since the conflict started, including more than 1,200 civilians and nearly 200 children, though these figures cannot be independently verified due to restricted journalist access.

Who is affected

  • Iranian civilians living in Tehran and Karaj (including men and women in their 20s-50s interviewed)
  • At least 1,761 people killed in Iran, including 1,245 civilians and 194 children (according to HRANA)
  • At least 6,480 protesters killed and 25,000 injured during anti-government protests in December and January
  • Revolutionary Guards and Quds Force personnel (targets of strikes)
  • Israel and US military forces (conducting operations)
  • Countries in the Middle East hosting US military bases and embassies (retaliatory strike targets)

What action is being taken

  • Israeli military is conducting strikes against targets in Tehran and Karaj
  • Israeli military launched a "broad wave of strikes" on Monday evening and another "wave of strikes" on Tuesday afternoon
  • Internet connectivity in Iran is being restricted
  • BBC Persian is gathering testimony from residents inside Iran

Why it matters

  • This conflict represents a significant escalation between Israel, the US, and Iran, with devastating humanitarian consequences for Iranian civilians caught in the crossfire. The attacks are causing not only immediate physical danger through strikes and infrastructure damage but also severe psychological trauma as residents struggle with sleep deprivation, fear, and the collapse of normal routines. The situation highlights the complex position of Iranian civilians who face threats both from foreign military action and from their own government's crackdown on dissent, with some viewing the strikes as a potential path to freedom from the Islamic Republic while others see themselves as victims of both sides.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC