Double citizens in Iran caught between Israeli bombs and family relations Israel Iran

Tehran, Iran – Bags that pass through Tehran are dealing, but this time, not on holidays or family celebrations. They are a temple in hurry and fear – the increasing anxiety symbols that gather Israeli missiles.

While the Iranians are scrambling to find shelter, American US citizens find themselves fell into the fire of war and geopolitical certainty.

Amir, 36 -year -old Tesla engineer and dual citizen, traveled to Tehran from US Just weeks before the start of Israeli air strikes in hitting targets throughout Iran. He was visiting the family and spending quiet days with them on Mount Damavand, which is located about 60 km northeast of the capital. His return trip to the United States has already been booked, but a few days before traveling, Israel launched its attacks.

When the bombs began to fall, Amir found himself dominating fear, not only from war, but from formulation and becoming a victim of politics out of his will.

Amir, who preferred not to share the latter’s name for security reasons: “I was not afraid at first. I brought me with my family,” said Amir, who preferred not to share the latter’s name for security reasons. He mentioned how he was actually more concerned about his family’s safety during the 2022 protests of Iran, watching from afar in the United States. He said: “At that time, I was constantly worried, stuck on the news, and worried about my family. But now, in Tehran and Damavand, I could have seen life continued.”

But he soon decided that it was very risk to stay in Iran. Amir, the owner of an American green card, was afraid of the increasing possibility to restore President Donald Trump to re -enter a travel ban on the Iranians and feared that he would include permanent residence, like himself. With urgency, he chose the Emir of departure.

Crossing the borders, leaving their loved ones

For fear of his life and future, Amir began a long wild journey. On Monday, he left the bus overnight to the western Iranian city of Urmia, a 11 -hour trip. From there, he continued by way to Van, in East Turki, which took another six hours. Then he took a local trip to Ankara, where he flew to the United States on Thursday.

For Amir, the escape was not just a logistical challenge; It was an emotional shock. If it is not a fear of recruitment and the possibility of a The new travel ban in the Trump eraHe said, “I would have been close to my loved ones. It is the most difficult in the United States.”

Behruz, a 41 -year -old post -PhD researcher, faced San Francisco, a similar choice. He was visiting his hometown in Manshad, in northeastern Iran, when he was shocked by one of the longest missile attacks in Israel.

“I tried to stay calm during the first two days,” he recalls. “But then, I had to confront reality: this conflict is not like the past. At least for the coming months, the sky will not be clear or open.”

Traditionally, Bahuz was ending his flights to Iran by walking through the annihilation of the shrine of Imam Reda, and capturing saffron and sweets for colleagues in the United States. But this time, he left in a rush. The journey was long: 10 hours by car to Tehran, and another nine to Urmia, then across the Razi border crossing to Turki. He said, “It took about 20 minutes to reach the checkpoint,” but what followed was the bus for the bus for 22 hours to Istanbul.

Bahrouz explained that he had to leave because of his job. He said with his voice: “But my heart is still there with my family and with people.”

“We are against both Israel and the Iranian regime,” he added. “We are millions of ordinary Iranians who fell among the decisions made by politicians who do not represent us.”

The words of Haruz repeat the calm despair of many others. The Azerbaijani media reported that about 600 citizens of Iranian Americans have crossed from northwestern Iran across the Astara border to southern Azerbaijan with the support of the American embassy. Online, travel coordination has flourished in Iranian -American Facebook groups. One of the users asked: “My journey was decided in late June. Should I try to go out across Armenia or Turki?” Another advised: “Bring additional fuel. Gas stations limit purchases to 10 liters for each car.” Some assembled resources to rent a trip for the trip to the Turkish border.

For those who managed to leave, logistical services are complex – but they are often less painful than the emotional burden.

Stay behind them – and cut

Not everyone is leaving. His Knights, a 43 -year -old blogger and mother who lived in North California, was transferred to Iran with her seven -year -old daughter before the war began. Despite the US State Department warnings that urge citizens to leave, on Instagram wrote that it had no intention to return – at least at the present time.

“This is where I want to be,” she wrote in a modern post. “With my family, during this time.”

Others had no choice but to watch from afar because their loved ones lived through strikes.

Mariam Mortgavi, 38, who lives in Toronto, her parents and sister on a summer flight to Iran just two weeks before the start of air strikes. Ten days after their stay, the bombs struck the northwestern city of Tabriz near their residence.

“I was in a blurry video call with them, hearing explosions and air defense systems,” Motazavi said. Her family fled to Urmia, near safety. By Wednesday noon, the Iranian government closed the Internet. Mary lost all contact with them.

“I can’t even get out of the bed – I am very worried,” she said. “I just hope they will find WPN working and move to me.”

This piece was published in cooperation with egab.