Iran's Government Faces Criticism for Handling of Israeli Airstrikes

As Israeli airstrikes continued to target Iranian cities, the government's handling of the crisis has come under fire from residents and experts alike. President Masoud Pezeshkian's decision to convene a cabinet meeting in the midst of the attacks, despite a lack of adequate safety protocols, has been criticized as arrogant and irresponsible. Meanwhile, residents have taken to social media to share information and coordinate evacuations, highlighting a deep distrust between citizens and the government.

Key Takeaways:

• The Iranian government has been criticized for its slow and sparse provision of safety protocols and instructions to residents, despite the ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
• Tehran residents have taken to social media to share information and coordinate evacuations, highlighting a deep distrust between citizens and the government.
• The government's relative silence on safety measures contrasts with its frequent use of text messages to admonish women over insufficiently modest attire.
• Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian convened a cabinet meeting in the midst of the attacks, despite a lack of adequate safety protocols.
• The chair of Tehran's city council, Mehdi Chamran, stated that the capital city had no suitable bomb shelters and suggested subway tunnels as an alternative.
• Some older buildings in Tehran may have bunkers dating back to the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, but access to them is limited.
• Iranian residents have reported difficulty accessing internet services due to high demand, hindering remote work and communication.
• Many Tehran residents have decided to leave the city, citing the lack of government-provided safety protocols and uncertainty about the safety of recommended evacuation zones.

Statistics:

• By Sunday evening, thousands of Tehran residents had tried to coordinate shared rides out of the city on at least one Telegram channel.
• Many Tehran residents have been unable to access internet services due to high demand, with reports of slow internet speeds and previously unavailable services.
• Over 2020, a civilian airliner was shot down by the Iranian military, and the government took three days to accept responsibility.
• During the first days of the coronavirus crisis, President Hassan Rouhani urged Iranians to continue with their daily activities, suggesting that fear and halting activities were part of an "enemies' conspiracy."

Sources:

• Mohammad Ali Shabani, an Iranian-born scholar of the Middle East, wrote on X: "They don't even need to look abroad for lessons at this point, yet refuse to learn."
• Hossein Kermanpour, spokesman for the Health Ministry, told an Iranian news outlet that during Israeli strikes, Iranians should try to "identify safe areas in their homes or workplaces" and stay away from balconies and windows.
• Fatemeh Mohajerani, a government spokeswoman, recommended that Iranians take shelter in metros, mosques, and schools.
• Mehdi Chamran, chair of Tehran's city council, told reporters on Sunday that the capital city had no suitable bomb shelters and suggested subway tunnels as an alternative.