Iranians expressed shock, anger and calls for retaliation on June 13 after indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes killed the country's top military commanders and dozens of innocent civilians, with many questioning the government’s response to the escalation.

At least 78 people were killed and 329 injured in Israeli strikes on military and residential areas of Tehran province, according to unofficial figures reported by Iranian media on Friday. 

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's highest-ranking military officer, and his daughter were among several senior officials and their families killed in the pre-dawn strikes that targeted military installations and nuclear facilities. Several dozen neighbours have been killed and injured following Israel’s wave of strikes targeting residential areas in Tehran.

"Russia and China were key accomplices to Israel in this crime – they refused to sell us advanced fighter jets when we desperately needed them," said Ahmad Hosseini, 45, a shopkeeper in central Tehran.

These latest strikes also exposed what many Iranians see as their country's military vulnerabilities against a technologically superior adversary backed by the United States.

"What a terrible waste of life," said Maryam Karimi, 38, a teacher from the capital's Shahrak-e Gharb district, echoing sentiments shared by many residents.

For others, the military leaders’ death represented the loss of a respected military figure who had served since the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.

"General Bagheri was truly a moderate man. May God have mercy on his soul," said Hamed Mojtabaei, 52, a retired civil servant. "How shameful that some people behaved so badly towards him in recent months," he added.

The attacks came as Iran and the United States were preparing for nuclear negotiations, leading some to question the timing and effectiveness of diplomatic efforts.

"Let history record that whilst our officials were in negotiations, we were both sanctioned and had war declared upon us," said Mehran Ghorbani, 41, an engineer.

Many Iranians called for immediate retaliation, warning that further delays could invite additional strikes.

"If we don't strike back today, they'll hit other targets tonight," said Reza Sadati, 19, a university student.

Others questioned why senior military commanders were vulnerable to attack.

"Why was our top commander living in an unsecured location without proper protection?" asked Fatima Rostami, 33, a nurse in Karaj in a conversation with bnm IntelliNews.

The strikes have also reignited debate about Iran's military procurement and defence capabilities and alleged support from Russia which has claimed it was an ally of Tehran.

"If Iran had been able to purchase advanced fighter aircraft from our allies, this tragedy wouldn't have happened," said Hassan Dadgar, 56, a former defence ministry employee.

Some expressed frustration with what they saw as Iran's restrained response to previous Israeli actions.

"Don't tell us again that the era of missiles is over," said Ali Mortazavi, 27, referencing recent government statements about military capabilities.

Despite the shock and anger, several residents expressed hope that Iran's leaders would learn from what many described as a significant military and intelligence failure.

"I hope this heavy defeat we've suffered will finally be properly addressed this time," said Zahra, 39, a journalist. "The negotiations have clearly shown they won't yield any meaningful results."

Iran's Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge for the attacks, calling them a "crime" and warning that Israel had "brought a bitter and painful fate upon itself." The strikes marked the largest attack on Iran since the 1980-88 war with Iraq, according to military analysts.