Tehran Becomes 'Ghost Town' as Missiles Fall and Fear Mounts
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
"Tehran is like a ghost town," said one resident Tuesday night as explosions lit up the city. The usual hustle and bustle had vanished on the sixth day of escalating conflict with Israel. Shops were shuttered, including the historic Grand Bazaar, streets stood empty, and thousands of residents were fleeing in every direction, seeking safety beyond the city limits.
Amid the turmoil, Iran's military claimed it now controlled Israeli airspace, while President Donald Trump publicly stated that the U.S. knows the location of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but has deliberately chosen not to strike him—"for now."
Why It Matters
The conflict's impact on Tehran has disrupted normal life, with many residents fleeing amid fears of ongoing airstrikes. Iranian officials say they can defend the capital, but the evacuation reveals growing public anxiety. The violence escalated sharply after Israel launched the first strikes last Friday, targeting key Iranian military sites. Since then, Israel has intensified its campaign to weaken Tehran's regional influence.
The United States, closely monitoring the situation, has issued warnings and hinted at possible further military involvement, raising fears in Tehran that the conflict could escalate beyond localized exchanges. This standoff is reshaping daily life for millions in Iran's political and economic center amid growing uncertainty.
A shopkeeper waits for customers as most other shops remain shuttered at the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025.
A shopkeeper waits for customers as most other shops remain shuttered at the historic Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025.
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
What to Know
Many of those Newsweek spoke to wished to remain anonymous, describing a city unlike anything they had ever seen. A female fitness instructor reflected on the eerie calm: "It is so empty here. I've never seen Tehran like this before, even quieter than during the COVID lockdown. Very, very depressing." One of her students added that he had closed his business early amid the unrest.
A shopkeeper described the night's bombardment as "the longest bombing I had heard so far," recalling the relentless missile strikes that shook the city and kept residents awake.
Traffic snarled on every major road out of Tehran as families fled in all directions—north, south, east, and west—seeking safety. Gas stations overflowed with cars waiting for fuel as many loaded their vehicles with essentials and uncertain hopes.
Another resident reflected, "It looks like no one is living in this city anymore. The silence is unnatural. It feels like a ghost town."
The Grand Bazaar, Tehran's centuries-old commercial hub, was closed, emblematic of the city's paralysis. Streets usually bustling with pedestrians and traffic were empty, save for military vehicles and emergency responders.
Shops remain shuttered Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, Monday, June 16, 2025.
Shops remain shuttered Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, Monday, June 16, 2025.
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
Iran Claims Air Superiority Over Israel
Despite the exodus, Iranian officials said that Tehran remained secure. Revolutionary Guard Colonel Iman Tajik said Iran held "complete control over the skies" of Israel, declaring that missile strikes had rendered Israeli defenses ineffective and residents "completely defenseless."
Such statements appear aimed at reassuring a population unsettled by the conflict's reach into the capital—and by growing fears that the U.S. could soon be drawn in more directly.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump stated: "We know exactly where he [Khamenei] is. We don't want to kill him—for now."
Revolutionary Guard Colonel Iman Tajik said: "Tonight's missile attack showed that we have gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories."
What Happens Next
As Tehran empties and tensions escalate, the coming days may bring intensified strikes, further evacuations, and rising pressure as the U.S. weighs deeper involvement alongside urgent international diplomatic efforts.
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