A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
The airstrikes on Iran came at the start of the work week for Iranians. NPR's Arezou Rezvani has been exchanging messages with people inside the country since the first bombs dropped. Now, everyone you're going to hear from asked we don't identify them for fear of government retribution. She brings us voices from Tehran.
AREZOU REZVANI, BYLINE: A 30-something-year-old engineer was settling into work Saturday morning when he heard the first boom.
UNIDENTIFIED ENGINEER: We even saw one of the explosions from our office window around downtown Tehran.
REZVANI: He scrambled to get home. U.S. and Israeli airstrikes pounded Tehran the rest of the day and well into the night.
UNIDENTIFIED ENGINEER: We were going to sleep, and suddenly we heard cheers from our neighbors. And to be honest with you, the moment I heard the cheers, I knew what had happened.
REZVANI: Israel had killed Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Among those overcome with joy was a 22-year-old university student. She requested we distort her voice. Unsure how this war will go, she's still fearful of government reprisals.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT: (Through voice distorter, non-English language spoken).
REZVANI: "They killed him. They finally killed him," she says through tears, then switches to English.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT: (Through voice distorter) I'm very happy. I'm excited. Oh, my God, I'm shaking.
REZVANI: As news of Khamenei's killing spread, people raced to rooftops and balconies, their celebrations spreading across the country and social media.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD #1: (Cheering).
REZVANI: But by Sunday morning, a different crowd also emerged. Videos posted on state-run media showed large crowds gathering in public squares across the country, mourning their fallen leader.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD #2: (Chanting in non-English language).
REZVANI: For others, like Saam (ph), a university student, the feelings are more complicated.
SAAM: (Through interpreter) On the one hand, I'm really happy. A dictator, a criminal has been killed. On the other hand, I'm upset. We Iranians, we were robbed of an opportunity to take Khamenei to court and hold him accountable.
REZVANI: On top of that, Saam's family, like many families in Iran, is politically divided. His parents support the government and are mourning the death of the supreme leader. From tears to cheers, Saam is troubled by the extreme emotions this war has elicited and worries it could be the first glimpse of divisive and bloody days to come.
Arezou Rezvani, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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