Tehran Turns into a Ghost City Amid Mass Exodus: Kilometer-Long Queues and Fears of Israeli Strike

The Middle East is once again in flames as open conflicts erupt with unforeseen consequences for the broader region and the entire planet. The images are shocking. In Tehran, the capital of Iran, residents are abandoning their city en masse following a dramatic evacuation call from US President Donald Trump. As the sun rose on Tuesday (17.06.25) in Iran, the center of Tehran began to empty out. Many stores in the capital remained closed, including the historic Grand Bazaar, evoking memories of the Covid-19 pandemic era. Meanwhile, hundreds of Iranians are fleeing Tehran in waves toward western parts of the country, with long lines forming at gas stations. One family that decided to leave told BBC it took them 14 hours for a journey that normally lasts just three. Upon arrival, they said they felt ‘lucky.’ However, others remain skeptical. ‘The roads are blocked. It’s insane to get into your car only to be stuck in a dead queue,’ one resident stated, while others emphasized that even if they leave, they have nowhere to go. The critical question remains: How could a city of 10 million people possibly evacuate?