Ela Ava
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The first four days of Israel’s war on Iran were marked by the scale of the attacks, uncertainty over whether they would continue, and the initial tension and chaos.

A woman named Shirin from Tehran tweeted: "They told us to evacuate Tehran, but we have nowhere to go. And we don’t want to leave. If we die, let everyone know we were civilians."

Western media, which dominates the airwaves and marginalizes independent left-wing outlets, along with Zionist propaganda claiming "We are only killing regime loyalists, not the people," pressures Iranians—even as they await death—to declare, "We are not with the regime." Political groups’ statements are becoming clearer, and the once-blurred lines are now more distinct. In this context, we see three main positions emerging among Iranians inside and outside the country.

The first stance condemns the war and Israel but refuses to side with the Iranian regime. The second, particularly among Iranians abroad, consists of Western and Israeli collaborators who believe the regime can be toppled by Israel, celebrating every bomb dropped and dismissing the dead as "regime supporters." The third is made up of regime supporters or those within the system.

Setting aside the right-wing opposition and regime elements, it’s important to highlight the first stance, articulated by progressive groups and workers' councils inside Iran.

Workers call against war

The Iran Workers' Union, one of the largest independent labor organizations with a history of mobilizing tens of thousands in strikes, has been documenting events from a workers' perspective and opposing the war from the outset. Alongside them, the Teachers’ Council, labor leaders, and political figures have issued statements.

One declaration, signed by 340 individuals, reads:
"After months of genocide in Gaza and blatant violations of international law, Israel has now launched a brutal war against Iran. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic, with no foresight or preparation to protect its citizens, continues its decades-long uranium enrichment policy—a policy that has only impoverished and suppressed the people—while fueling the flames of war. Today, it is clearer than ever that neither those who pin their hopes on Israeli airstrikes nor the supporters of the Islamic Republic have any real connection to the freedom of this land. Those who profit from war economies oppose lasting peace and grassroots organizing. Using media power and propaganda, they obscure the fact that the ultimate victims of this military showdown are defenseless civilians, targeting nonviolent struggles, popular resistance, and civil society resilience. We call on the Iranian people to unite against war."

Similarly, the Iranian Writers' Association stated:
"We condemn Israel’s attack on Iranian soil and call on freedom-loving writers, intellectuals, and organizations worldwide to break this media polarization and amplify the independent voices of the people and liberation movements."

Other groups, such as the Minority Fedayeen of the Iranian People, the Tudeh Party (Communist Party of Iran), Workers’ Path, and the Socialist Workers’ Union, have also called for a "third front" against the war.

The people rely on each other

By the fourth day, calls for resistance grew clearer, while public anxiety inside Iran intensified. Long queues for gasoline and bread formed in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and southern oil refinery regions. With little faith in the government’s ability to provide basic necessities, people are organizing solidarity networks.

One notable development is the "Our Doors Are Open to the People" campaign, launched by guesthouses in unaffected areas like Yazd and central regions. This gained momentum after Israel and Trump’s call to "evacuate" Tehran, an 18-million-person city.

Residents in the capital report that the government has no designated shelters (other than metro stations). A family from Ekbatan explained:
"Leaving Tehran entirely is impossible. Trips to northern cities, normally three hours, now take six to seven. We’ve learned to lean on each other in hard times—guesthouses, cafes, and citizens are opening their doors because that’s all they can do."

Tehran’s underground city: A potential target

Another critical issue is Tehran’s vast underground city, long used by the regime for propaganda. Independent journalists and local sources suggest it’s larger than officially acknowledged, housing military supplies and possibly nuclear-linked facilities. The repeatedly bombed "Baqeri zone" is rumored to be one of its entrances.

Observers speculate that the "evacuate Tehran" warnings serve not only as intimidation but also signal an intent to destroy this underground network. One thing is clear: evacuating 18 million people is impossible, meaning any large-scale attack would kill millions of Iranians.

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