'We can't afford not to respond': Iranians react to attacks with anger, fear

Iranians reacted to Israeli strikes with anger and fear on June 13, with some urging retaliation while others worried the conflict would spell more hardship for a nation worn down by crises.

- 

DUBAI - Iranians reacted to Israeli strikes with anger and fear on June 13, with some urging retaliation while others worried the conflict would spell more hardship for a nation worn down by crises.

With Tehran and other cities shaken by a night of Israeli air strikes, some said they planned to leave for neighboring Turkey, bracing themselves for escalation after Israel signaled that its operation would continue "for as many days as it takes".

"I woke up to deafening explosions," said 39-year-old Marziyeh from the city of Natanz, which is home to one of Iran's nuclear sites and where explosions were reported. "People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic - we were all terrified."

Ms Marziyeh, one of 20 people Reuters contacted in Iran for this article, added: "I am deeply worried about my children's safety if this situation escalates."

Israel said it had attacked nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in the operation that it said aimed to prevent Tehran from building an atomic bomb. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.

In an initial wave of panic, some Iranians rushed to banks to withdraw cash on the morning of June 13.