Iranian reveals why Islamic rulers built no shelters for airstrikes: Culture of martyrdom

An Iranian citizen claims the Islamic republic didn’t build shelters for airstrikes because residents are expected to tough through the bombings and “enjoy martyrdom.”While Israelis have a plethora of public bomb shelters to help weather the storm of attacks from Tehran, Iranians claim that not only is their infrastructure lacking, but there is also a “culture of martyrdom” that keeps them from seeking refuge.“In this society, going to the shelters when there is a jet fighting or looming [airstrike] around it indicates you’re chicken-hearted,” an Iranian journalist told the BBC’s Global News Podcast.“So you should [be] brave and brace for the bombardments and enjoy martyrdom.” To this point, Iran has yet to officially shut down any businesses despite the escalating attacks from Israel and Tehran officials repeatedly stating that the nation is at war.

The reporter, speaking under the condition of anonymity, said the best people can hope for is to hide in their own basements due to the lack of public shelters.People also have the option of hiding out in Tehran’s subways, “but subways are not open to the people after 10:30 [p.m.],” the journalist pointed out.

The problem goes further as citizens in Tehran told the British outlet that they’re still expected to commute to work amid the attacks between Israel and Iran, with many people having no idea where and when the attacks will come.The Israeli military, which sent out evacuation orders for all civilians to leave military sites, has offered no help either, residents claim.“How are we supposed to know where a military site is and where isn’t?” one person living in Tehran told the BBC.

“I can’t just leave Tehran.I can’t leave my elderly parents who can’t travel far and long and leave the city myself,” another resident said.

“Besides, I need to show up to work.What can I do now?”Despite the culture in place, some Iranians have decided to flee the capital and head to ...