Iran had carefully orchestrated its retaliatory response for maximum symbolism and emotional impact: The attack began around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday, correlated to the time that Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani was killed by an American drone strike last week.
The country launched more than 20 missiles, the barrage targeting two large military bases that house thousands of Iraqi and American servicemen and women.
Iranians rejoiced at the retaliation, saying it showed defiance and courage.
“It’s a proud day to be Iranian,” said Amir, 42, of Tehran, in a telephone interview. He, like others, asked to be identified by first name only out of concern of being quoted in a foreign newspaper. “Time for everyone to respect our power.”
Omid Balaghati, a writer based in Tehran, posted on Twitter: “Strong politicians need to have strong military men next to them, and this is the story today.”
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public speech on Wednesday, suggested that Wednesday’s attack was not the end. “For now we slapped the Americans last night,” he said. “America’s military presence in the region must end.”
For days, momentum had built for Iran to strike back. For the first time in many years, the public supported the leadership’s calls for a public confrontation with the United States. Still, in the hours after the attack, Iranians spent a restless night wondering whether Washington would strike back.
President Trump said no Americans were killed in the attack, but some Iranians did not believe him. Iranian state media reported that 80 American soldiers were killed and more than 200 injured.
“People believe that American soldiers were killed, but Trump is not admitting it because that would mean cornering him into war,” said Alireza, a 42-year-old engineer from Tehran, in a telephone interview.
Families stayed glued to state and satellite television and social media for live updates of the attacks and reaction from the United States. Iranians outside of the country frantically tried to reach family members at home to check on their safety and show solidarity.
But by later on Wednesday, it became clear that after reaching the brink of war with the United States, both Tehran and Washington appeared to have dialed down their direct military confrontation, a de-escalation that had many Iranians expressing relief.
“Iranians have been suffering for 40 years — revolution, war, immigration and sanctions. How much more can we take?” said Azadeh, 40, a business manager in Tehran, in a telephone interview.
Minoo Vahabian, a 48-year-old owner of a cafe in Tehran and the mother of two, said she was confident that the Revolutionary Guards had the power to stare down America. Ms. Vahabian said Iran’s actions were justified — though the prospect of an all-out war with the United States still worried her.
“My anxiety is about my children’s future. The horizon is murky and we can’t imagine what’s coming our way,” she said.
Siamak Ghasemi, an economic and political analyst, wrote in a post on Instagram “that the shadow of war has been lifted from Iran. The speeches of both Iranian and American leaders today was full of logic and wisdom and antiwar.”
The initial feelings of celebration at news of the strike, and then relief that no American counterattack seemed imminent, gave way to shock and sadness with the news that a Ukrainian Airline plane had crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s international airport Wednesday morning, killing 176 on board, including dozens of Iranian citizens.
“It feels like we are getting hit on the head with a sledgehammer every morning when we wake up,” said Shima Sabet, a Tehran resident and fashion designer. “Will we ever see happiness and peace?”
Source : Nytimes
