'My daughter is under the rubble': Inside Tehran as civilian toll of strikes rises

March 27, 2026

Iran has endured a month-long military campaign by the United States and Israel targeting regime-linked infrastructure, but the attacks are causing significant civilian casualties and destruction in residential areas of Tehran. BBC Eye investigation reveals that powerful bombs, likely Mark 84 2,000-pound munitions, have destroyed multiple apartment buildings and civilian structures surrounding military targets embedded in densely populated neighborhoods. The March 9th strike on Resalat district alone killed an estimated 40-50 people and left families homeless, while humanitarian law experts question whether such heavy weaponry use in residential areas violates proportionality requirements.

Who is affected

Residents of Tehran's residential neighborhoods, particularly the Resalat district
A woman and her young daughter killed in the March 9th Resalat strike (husband survived)
A 55-year-old man who lost his home and all possessions in Resalat
Between 40-50 people killed in the single Resalat attack
Families displaced and currently staying in hotels
At least 20 people reportedly killed near Niloufar Square on March 1st
1,464 civilians killed in Iran during the first month of conflict, including at least 217 children (according to HRANA)
Dozens of families who lived in the multi-storey apartment building in Resalat
Residents of Gulf nations where Iran has struck civilian infrastructure

What action is being taken

The United States and Israel are carrying out strikes across Iran targeting regime-linked infrastructure
Israel Defense Forces have dropped more than 12,000 bombs across Iran and 3,600 on Tehran specifically
US Central Command has struck more than 9,000 targets across Iran
Rescue workers are attempting to dig through rubble to recover victims
BBC Eye is gathering exclusive footage from independent journalists inside Tehran
Displaced families are staying at hotels
Iran is striking civilian infrastructure in nearby Gulf nations

Why it matters

This conflict demonstrates the devastating humanitarian consequences when military targets are embedded within densely populated civilian areas. The use of particularly heavy ordnance (2,000-pound bombs) in residential neighborhoods raises serious international humanitarian law concerns about proportionality and the protection of civilians. The situation is creating a dual crisis for Iranian civilians who face bombardment from above while simultaneously dealing with a repressive regime that violently cracked down on protests. The absence of civil defense measures, warnings, or evacuation protocols leaves civilians completely exposed and vulnerable. Beyond the immediate death toll of over 1,400 civilians including hundreds of children, the strikes risk deepening resentment even among regime critics, potentially destabilizing the broader political situation while demonstrating how modern urban warfare increasingly blurs the line between military and civilian targets.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC