17.06.2025 10:13
As Israel's bombings of Iran continue, people living in Tehran are documenting their lives through photos shared on social media before leaving their homes. The "Last Photo of the Home" shared before departure becomes a silent witness to the lives left in uncertainty under the shadow of war.
The Iran-Israel war continues with all its intensity on its 5th day, while citizens have started to flee from Iran. Before leaving, citizens share the last visual of the life they are leaving behind on social media. Iranians, who are uncertain if they will ever return home, have initiated a trend called "The Last Photo of Home."
SUITCASES READY, CURTAINS CLOSED, FLOWERS WATERED
In these frames, the sofas are completely empty, and suitcases are lined up in front of some sofas. Potted flowers have been watered, and figurines are carefully arranged. The curtains are closed. Every detail shows that the owner has attended to it one last time, carrying the weight of leaving the home. People are taking and sharing photos of their homes, habits, and memories. Perhaps to remember, in case they cannot return.
"UNBEARABLY DIFFICULT"
A social media user shared their feelings, saying, "I gathered the memories of my loved ones and essential needs, watered my flowers, and set off. If you are leaving home without knowing if you can return… This is unbearably difficult."
"I SAID GOODBYE TO THE THINGS I STAYED AWAKE FOR"
Another user added a photo of their desk with their computer and headphones, writing: "I said goodbye to the things I stayed awake for, the things that turned my hair gray. I hope they are still in their places when I return."
"I HOPE TO RETURN TO MY HOME AGAIN"
A resident of this 10 million-strong city stated that they came to the capital with dreams of university and work, adding, "I bought and arranged everything in the house with love and effort. I said goodbye quietly. I hope to return to this beautiful, safe home one day."
"WHERE CAN I GO?"
Some Tehran residents decided to stay due to elderly parents, small children, health issues, or having no place to go. A woman who is pregnant and has a small daughter said, "How can I survive in this traffic? Everything I have is set up here, where can I go?"
Another woman stated that she is single, her family lives 800 kilometers away in Shiraz, and she does not have the courage to go alone, saying, "I have a car, but my biggest fear about leaving Tehran is the long distance, fuel shortages, and potential breakdowns in the car." She emphasized that her friends who left Tehran were stuck in traffic for hours, saying, "A journey that normally takes 10-12 hours took them 20 hours. There are no bus tickets anyway."
"I DON'T WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING DESTROYED WHEN I RETURN"
A 40-year-old mother of two small children said, "I am not going anywhere. To be honest: I am so tired now that I don't want to go and then see everything destroyed when I return. I have worked hard for years. It was the pandemic, inflation… Despite everything. I did not come to where I am easily today. If everything is going to be destroyed, I would prefer to leave with my children and our home. Because I have no strength left to start over."