Iranians Brace for War as Trump Considers Targeted Strikes

For days the fate of roughly 90 million Iranians has swung between war and peace as American and Iranian officials traded threats and calls for diplomacy. With negotiators from both sides set for indirect talks in Geneva — seen by many as a last chance to avert conflict — some people are packing emergency bags, buying backup generators and planning to flee to rural areas.

Others say they feel paralyzed. “Everything feels very surreal, like being in limbo,” said Payman, a 45‑year‑old businessman in Tehran. “I’m not even actively preparing for survival in an emergency. I just want it to be over.” Tehran’s government has shown little visible contingency planning.

The mayor, Alireza Zakani, said metro stations and underground parking lots could be turned into shelters and that the municipality had taken “minimum” steps, but local experts warned those spaces need heating, ventilation and hygienic facilities. Mr.

Iran, Tehran

iran, iranians, trump, targeted strikes, war, geneva talks, tehran, emergency bags, backup generators, shelters