Israeli airstrikes on Iran persisted into June 15, with explosions rocking various parts of Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Kermanshah until midday.

While authorities reported no official casualties or material damage, the continued bombardment has left Iran’s capital deeply unsettled.

Thick black smoke from fires at oil depots in Tehran’s Shahran and Shahr-e-Rey districts loomed over the skyline, as emergency services struggled to bring the blazes under control.

In the wake of the attacks, the capital’s streets were eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the usual post-holiday bustle. Markets were half-shuttered, many offices closed early or shifted to remote work, and citizens queued for hours at petrol stations across the city.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation cancelled all domestic and international flights until the morning of June 16. The national airspace remains closed until at least 2 a.m., as confirmed by a NOTAM issued by aviation authorities.

As fear gripped the city, concerns over civil defence infrastructure came into sharp focus.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have fully equipped shelters in Tehran or other major cities,” admitted Tehran City Council head Mehdi Chamran, who urged authorities to repurpose older war-era facilities, subway stations and government parking structures for emergency use.

He warned that current shelters designed for earthquakes were ill-suited for military threats.

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that schools, mosques and subways would remain open to the public around the clock. Essential services, including banks and hospitals, continue to operate, while other sectors have adopted hybrid working arrangements, she said on state television.

Internet disruptions have compounded public anxiety, with several districts reporting blocked access to apps including WhatsApp, which had only recently been re-authorised by the government. Conversations about war dominate public discourse, with blame and fear circulating in equal measure.

“This is aggression against my homeland,” said Zohre, 43, from Tehran. “The government must respond firmly. Maybe if we had a nuclear weapon, this wouldn't have happened.”

Others voiced solidarity with the state in spite of internal disagreements. “This attack won’t fulfil Israel’s intentions. It will only rally people around the regime emotionally,” said Fereshte from Karaj. Mahdi, another resident, interpreted the strikes as an attempt to block a potential thaw between Iran and the US.

Shima, a teacher in Tehran, refrained from any political analysis, saying she was gripped by fear. “I’ll keep sharing tips to protect children and the elderly from trauma, but I can't think beyond the sound of those explosions,” she said.

For others, like Leila, the attacks were seen through a political lens. “This could be the blow that weakens the system, a chance for change,” she said.

Meanwhile, 65-year-old Safura from Khorasan province could only weep as her children remained in Tehran. “All I can do is pray. I begged them to come home.”