‘Our hearts were shaking’

The Iranian capital has experienced one of its most intense nights of bombardment by the United States and Israel since the start of the war 10 days ago as numerous areas of the sprawling city have been hit to devastating effect.

Warplanes flew at low altitudes over Tehran overnight into Tuesday, dropping dozens of heavy explosives that shook neighbourhoods across the city of more than 10 million people and frightened residents who have remained in their homes despite the danger.

More strikes followed during the day with local media reporting that cities like Isfahan and Karaj were also targeted. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would be “our most intense day of strikes inside Iran”.

Sima, a 38-year-old who lives with her family in Tehran, said of overnight strikes: “It felt like tens of fighter jets were flying right above our heads for 15 minutes straight at first, then a few minutes of pause before the next rounds of strikes came in.”

“The ground and windows and our hearts were shaking, but we took shelter in bathroom and got through it,” she said.