M
MercyNews
Home
Back
Iranians Report Heavy Security, Damage in Post-Crisis Calls
Politics

Iranians Report Heavy Security, Damage in Post-Crisis Calls

Times of Israel6h ago
3 min read
📋

Key Facts

  • ✓ Cellphone users report that government offices and some banks were burned.
  • ✓ Security forces are patrolling the streets of Tehran.
  • ✓ Many citizens fear the possibility of US attacks.

In This Article

  1. Quick Summary
  2. Reports of Infrastructure Damage
  3. Security Presence in Tehran ️
  4. Public Sentiment and Fears
  5. Conclusion

Quick Summary#

Recent communications emerging from Iran describe a landscape of heightened security and visible damage following recent events. According to reports from cellphone users within the country, specific infrastructure targets including government offices and banks have reportedly suffered damage, with some structures burned.

The security situation in the capital city of Tehran is described as intense, with security forces actively patrolling the streets. This heavy presence has contributed to a climate of anxiety among the populace. A primary concern voiced by many citizens is the fear of potential military retaliation, specifically the possibility of attacks originating from the United States. These initial reports paint a picture of a nation on edge, grappling with the immediate aftermath of internal upheaval and the looming threat of external military intervention.

Reports of Infrastructure Damage 🏢#

First-hand accounts from individuals inside Iran have begun to surface, offering glimpses into the condition of key facilities. Reports indicate that government offices have been targeted, with some users describing scenes of buildings being burned. This suggests significant disruption to administrative functions within the affected areas.

Financial institutions have also reportedly suffered. Banks are cited among the facilities that have sustained damage. The specific extent of the damage to these economic hubs remains unclear, but the reports suggest that the integrity of these buildings has been compromised.

  • Government administrative buildings reportedly burned
  • Banking facilities sustained damage
  • Infrastructure impact appears significant

Security Presence in Tehran 🛡️#

The atmosphere in the capital city of Tehran is described as tense, characterized by a visible and heavy security presence. Reports from cellphone users indicate that security forces are actively patrolling the city streets. This mobilization of security personnel suggests a concerted effort to maintain order and control movement within the urban center.

The deployment of these forces has likely contributed to the restrictive environment described by those communicating from the region. The sight of patrols on the streets serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing instability and the measures being taken to manage the situation.

Public Sentiment and Fears 😟#

Beyond the physical damage and security measures, the psychological impact on the population is evident. A prevailing sense of fear permeates the reports coming out of Iran. Many citizens are reportedly worried about the potential for further escalation, specifically regarding the threat of US attacks.

This fear of foreign military intervention adds another layer of anxiety to the existing domestic turmoil. The population appears to be bracing for the possibility of external strikes, compounding the stress of the current internal security situation.

Conclusion#

The initial reports from Iran depict a nation facing significant internal disruption and external threats. The combination of damaged infrastructure, specifically government offices and banks, alongside a heavy security presence in Tehran, illustrates a volatile environment. Furthermore, the widespread fear among the populace regarding potential US attacks highlights the precarious geopolitical tension surrounding the country. As these first-hand accounts continue to emerge, they provide a critical snapshot of the conditions on the ground during this critical period.

#Israel & the Region#Iran#Iran protests#US-Iran relations#Tehran

Continue scrolling for more

I thought I'd planned my first solo trip perfectly. After just 3 nights, I was desperate to go home.
Lifestyle

I thought I'd planned my first solo trip perfectly. After just 3 nights, I was desperate to go home.

I went on my first solo trip and realized that I prefer traveling with friends. Sean Abrams In the summer of 2022, I went to London for my first solo trip to see my favorite artist perform. The concert was amazing, and I enjoyed my itinerary, but I wasn't prepared for how lonely I'd feel. I know now that traveling alone isn't for me, and that's OK — I much prefer to go with friends. The idea of solo traveling always seemed like a bit of a nightmare to me. Although I'm independent, I'm not naturally social with strangers, and I don't enjoy going on adventures by myself. It's not the planning that throws me off, but rather the ability to feel OK in the in-between moments when there's no one to talk to or share the day with. But I pushed past all of that when I realized taking a solo trip (abroad, no less) would give me the opportunity to see my favorite artist, UK girl group Little Mix, perform live — something I never thought I'd do. Other than opening for artists like Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande, they never really toured in the US, and seeing them always felt like a long shot unless I traveled abroad. So, a year in advance, I bought tickets to their summer 2022 performance at the O2 Arena in London, booked my flights, and created the itinerary of my dreams, complete with tickets to see a limited run of "Legally Blonde" at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and a stop at the London Zoo. If I was finally going on my first solo trip, I was going to make the most of it — and I was glad to be in an English-speaking country that seemed packed with things to do. As I boarded my flight, I was almost more excited than nervous. But by the end of the trip, I knew that even the promise of seeing my absolute favorite artist live wouldn't make me choose to travel solo again. Despite being so well-prepared, I was much lonelier than I'd anticipated I enjoyed sightseeing, but would often return to my hotel room, unsure of how else to fill my time. Sean Abrams When I arrived in London, I didn't struggle with any of the actual logistics of getting around. I live in Manhattan, so I know how to navigate a big city and read a map. However, I struggled with being alone. I'd sit down at a restaurant, order quickly, eat, and leave. When I was browsing stores, I didn't have anyone to ask for a second opinion. I started to miss the sound of my own voice. I didn't realize how much enjoyment I get from sharing moments with others. There were so many long stretches where I struggled to figure out how to fill the day, despite building my dream itinerary. More than once, I'd end up back at my hotel earlier than planned, not because I was tired but because I didn't know how to build a night for myself. I slowly realized thinking I'd thrive for seven days might've been a little presumptuous. Despite not going quite how I'd imagined, the concert was still one of the highlights of my solo trip. Sean Abrams However, the concert itself was nothing less than a religious experience. I was so happy to finally see Little Mix live, but I have to admit, I'd imagined the night going differently. I hoped I'd be surrounded by fellow gays who would take notice of me all by my lonesome, only to fold me into their group. However, I ended up being seated next to a very sweet mother and daughter, who were nice enough to take a photo of me. After the encore, I grabbed my merch and left the stadium with nowhere to go except — you guessed it — my hotel room. The next morning, it hit me that I still had three days left. I looked up flights home, but changing them was way too expensive. That's when the tears started flowing. I cried because I was lonely, but also because I was embarrassed to be feeling this way in such a magical city. I don't regret a thing, though I returned to London with friends two years later and had an amazing time. Sean Abrams Things got a bit better once I stopped waiting for my entire personality to magically change during the course of the trip. At the end of the day, I knew I was never going to walk into a bar and make instant friends, no matter how much I craved that outcome. The lesson from this wasn't "solo travel is bad." It was that, at least for me, traveling solo doesn't bring out the version of myself I like most. I'm adventurous and willing to face the uncomfortable, but I'm also someone who feels grounded when surrounded by familiar people. Both can be true. The clearest proof of this came in July 2024, when I returned to London with friends. I arrived in the city two days early for a little bit of solo time — something I actually looked forward to, knowing what the rest of the vacation had in store — and it felt like a full-circle moment. Once my friends arrived, the city opened up. We went to my favorite Indian restaurant, giggled through a production of "Magic Mike Live," and watched football at the pub over pints like locals. By the end, I was genuinely sad to leave. I don't regret going to London the first time. With a little self-reflection, I realized it taught me that I don't need to love solo travel to earn a badge of bravery. I can push myself in other ways and still travel in a way that suits me. I'll still explore new places — I'll probably just bring a friend along for the ride. Read the original article on Business Insider

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
‘Wicked’ Leads U.K. Home Entertainment Market to Record $7.6 Billion in 2025
Economics

‘Wicked’ Leads U.K. Home Entertainment Market to Record $7.6 Billion in 2025

The U.K.’s home entertainment sector reached an all-time high of £5.7 billion ($7.6 billion) in 2025, marking a 10% increase year-over-year, according to new data released Tuesday by the British Association for Screen Entertainment in partnership with the Official Charts Company. The record-breaking figures encompass streaming services, digital transactions and physical media sales, with the […]

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Macron Presses Lecornu on Budget Amid 49.3 Debate
Politics

Macron Presses Lecornu on Budget Amid 49.3 Debate

President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pressing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to expedite budgetary measures using Article 49.3. However, constitutional authority remains firmly with the Prime Minister.

3h
4 min
6
Read Article
Marine Le Pen Appeal Hearing Set for Summer 2026
Politics

Marine Le Pen Appeal Hearing Set for Summer 2026

Marine Le Pen's presidential ambitions hang in the balance as the French far-right leader goes to court to appeal against an embezzlement conviction.

3h
3 min
6
Read Article
Trump's Iran Tariffs Risk China Clash
Politics

Trump's Iran Tariffs Risk China Clash

Donald Trump’s sudden 25% tariff on nations trading with Iran puts Beijing squarely in the spotlight. China knows how to evade sanctions and has the muscle to retaliate.

3h
3 min
6
Read Article
Gaza Storm Kills Four as Walls Collapse on Tent Camps
Accidents

Gaza Storm Kills Four as Walls Collapse on Tent Camps

A winter storm in Gaza City caused walls from war-damaged buildings to collapse on tent camps, resulting in four fatalities. Three of the victims belonged to the same family.

3h
3 min
6
Read Article
I started drinking at 14, and it became a dangerous habit for more than 55 years. I'm finally sober at 70.
Health

I started drinking at 14, and it became a dangerous habit for more than 55 years. I'm finally sober at 70.

From left: Barbara Face pictured as a teenager when she first started drinking, at the height of her alcoholism, and sober, as she is today. Courtesy of Barbara Face Barbara Face began drinking at 14 when a boy secretly brought beer to a church treat she attended. The habit continued during her life as she increasingly used alcohol to relax and escape reality. She got sober more than a year ago with help from an app that guided her through the process. This story is based on a conversation with Barbara Face, 70, a former training manager from Phoenix. It has been edited for length and clarity. I'll never forget the first time I drank alcohol to excess. I'd had the occasional, tiny taste of it when my parents had it with a meal, but this experience was different. We were at a church retreat, and a boy had sneaked in a six-pack of beer. He stashed it in a pile of snow to keep it cold, and we opened the bottles with glee. After a while, I started to feel happy. However, it was accompanied by a sense of numbness. Things were tough at home, and I forgot about my problems for a while. Drinking made me feel better My friend and I started drinking sweet, fortified wine. We had to rely on older kids to buy it from stores, who mostly used fake IDs. I couldn't help notice that my high school friends drank less than I did. They wanted to have fun, but it was more than just a joyride for me. I just wanted to feel better. Face as a teenager, around the time she started drinking. Courtesy of Barbara Face On my 18th birthday, a friend drove me over the border to Wisconsin, where the legal drinking age was 18, compared to 21 in our native Minnesota. It was thrilling to be in a bar. My parents didn't want me to go down the college route. They thought it was wrong for a girl to do so. It damaged my self-esteem, and my outlet continued to be drinking. Still, I'd describe myself more as a social drinker in my late teens and early 20s. I got married at 19, but divorced five years later. The break-up hit me hard. It was painful to be so hungover I ran with a fast crowd, and weekends were about drinking. One night, in my early 30s, I filled a flask with vodka. I was swigging it while dancing. I don't remember driving home, but I crashed my car into a barrier. Somebody came by and took me home, and my friends helped me pick up my car the following day. I was so hungover, it was painful. The fact that I'd blacked out scared me to death. Face said she looked bloated before she quit drinking Courtesy of Barbara Face A therapist referred me to a 30-day treatment center where I dried out. The clinicians were so worried about me, they would only release me to a women's halfway house. I joined AA and became a sober person for a few years. Then my mental health deteriorated again. I went back to my old ways and drank up to two bottles of vodka every weekend. Then, after being accepted into a Master's program at Ohio State University, I began to drink hard liquor every night alone after school. I had terrible hangovers and felt ashamed and guilty. I wrecked my car on the way to a casino I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, after taking a job in a call center. The hangovers made me angry and resentful. It was always someone else's fault, not mine, and I was reported by a supervisor for erratic behavior and swearing. Somehow, I managed to hold onto my job and move with the company to Phoenix in my 40s. I was drunk and headed to a casino, when I totaled my car. Face began with drinking beer before graduating to hard liquor and wine. Courtesy of Barbara Face Fortunately for me, it was on a Native American reservation, and the police officer who attended didn't have the jurisdiction to breathalyze me. I refused, and it got me out of a DUI. Two decades went by. There were days when I didn't want to wake up in the morning. My blood pressure was very high "I'll have a small glass of wine at 3 p.m.," I'd tell myself. Then it would be 2 p.m. I drank one or two bottles of wine a day. My dinner was inevitably liquid. It wasn't the taste I was after; it was the emotional release. The wake-up call came in September 2024 after an annual check-up at the doctor's office. My bloodwork results were dangerous. My blood pressure was very high, and I was also verging on pre-diabetes. Face at her 70th birthday party which she celebrated without alcohol. Courtesy of Barbara Face The doctor asked about my blood sugar levels and whether I liked sweet things. She asked about my drinking, and I lied about the amount because I was ashamed. I said it was about two glasses of wine a day. "You should try to cut back," she said. It was around that time that I received a marketing email from an app that offers advice on both reducing and eliminating alcohol intake. I downloaded the app and read how much my brain was being affected by the effects of alcohol, particularly at my age. I attend online groups I started to reduce my drinking by 10%, and then more. I'd measure out my glass of wine, which I'd sip during my evening meal. There were podcasts and readings about how much a woman should be drinking at my age. Then I joined some of the online groups, which were non-judgmental and supportive. Face, pictured with her dog, Lumi, enjoying a sober lifestyle on a hike. Courtesy of Barbara Face Cutting back lifted my depression a bit. I started to sleep better after years of insomnia. The endless cycle of negative thoughts slowed down. Next, I began weaning myself off altogether. The first day I was able to go without alcohol was super exciting for me. It was a huge accomplishment. I was concerned about my 70th birthday party One day without drinking turned into two, then three, then a week. I'd never been proud of myself, but I was on top of the world when I had my last-ever drink on December 9, 2024. I had anxiety ahead of my 70th birthday party in late January 2025. "How will I be able to celebrate without Champagne?" I thought to myself. I managed fine. Face said she is proud of herself for stopping drinking. Courtesy of Barbara Face Then, my sister-in-law and I went on a cruise along the River Danube. Everybody was drinking, but I stuck to my cranberry juice and tonic water. It felt good to travel without being hungover. I had my bloodwork redone last April, and there was a marked improvement. I was no longer at risk of being pre-diabetic. My blood pressure had lowered. In the meantime, I look and feel a whole lot better. My face no longer looks bloated. I've started doing yoga and feel a lot more fit. People ask me if I'm worried that I might go back to drinking. What's stopping me is the thought of a healthy future. As I approach 71, I'm in the last stages of my life, but I still find it worthwhile to be alcohol free. Read the original article on Business Insider

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
UTJ’s Gafni calls for government to ignore High Court rulings on Haredi draft law
Politics

UTJ’s Gafni calls for government to ignore High Court rulings on Haredi draft law

MK joins coalition lawmakers calling for defiance of judiciary; Lapid warns disobeying court would expose IDF soldiers to international lawsuits The post UTJ’s Gafni calls for government to ignore High Court rulings on Haredi draft law appeared first on The Times of Israel.

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Politics

Live Supreme Court transgender athlete cases updates

Live updates from oral arguments at the Supreme Court in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.

4h
3 min
0
Read Article
Politics

Новый год неплатежом красен // Глава Хакасии уволил министра финансов из-за задержки зарплат бюджетникам

Глава Хакасии Валентин Коновалов (КПРФ) отправил в отставку министра финансов республики Игоря Тугужекова из-за того, что сотрудники бюджетных учреждений региона до сих пор не получили декабрьскую зарплату. В правительстве задержку объяснили поздним поступлением в бюджет налоговых платежей. В парламенте Хакасии, который контролируют единороссы, ситуацию называют серьезным репутационным ударом для власти.

4h
3 min
0
Read Article
🎉

You're all caught up!

Check back later for more stories

Back to Home