Pre-dawn blasts heard in several Iranian cities

The two-week ceasefire was announced after weeks of fighting that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran while negotiations were still underway.

President Trump said on Wednesday that Washington would work closely with Iran following what he described as a “productive regime change,” adding there would be no uranium enrichment.

But messages from across Iran suggested the pause in fighting has stirred mixed and often painful reactions. Some described the truce as a missed opportunity for political change.

“We asked you for help to free Iran, but not only did you not free it, you handed us a much worse country and trampled the blood of 45,000 martyrs,” one citizen wrote in a message addressed to Trump, referring to protesters killed during past nationwide unrest.

Others expressed deep despair about the country’s future.

“When I heard the news of the ceasefire, it felt like the world collapsed on my head,” a resident of Tehran said.

“We were miserable and now we will become more miserable. We no longer have any hope,” another message said.

Despite the truce, a weeks-long internet blackout across Iran has persisted, limiting communication and access to outside information.

Some urged patience, however, suggesting the ceasefire could be part of a broader strategy.

“Trump knows what he is doing. If he intended to accept the conditions, he would not have entered the war at all. Perhaps more surprises will occur in the coming days,” one citizen wrote.

Another message called on Iranians not to lose hope.

“Do not be so hopeless. Regime change is possible. This ceasefire may be another surprise. You have the right to be tired, but you must remain patient,” a citizen from Kerman wrote in a message addressed to fellow Iranians.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that US and Iranian delegations would arrive in Pakistan on Friday for talks, raising the prospect that the ceasefire could open the way for negotiations.

Some also warned that the pause in fighting could allow the authorities to intensify domestic repression.

“With this ceasefire, the killing machine will be activated faster and more young people will be at risk,” one message said.

Iran has carried out executions during the war, raising fears among activists that the authorities may use the ceasefire period to tighten control.

Others reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the fragile truce.

“I feel like a patient whose surgeon, in the middle of surgery, says let us wait a bit and see if it heals on its own,” one citizen wrote.

A wave of overnight strikes appeared to sweep across Iran early on Tuesday, based on witness accounts sent to Iran International, hitting areas from the capital’s outskirts to southern coastal regions.

In the greater Tehran area, multiple residential locations were reportedly struck within minutes of each other. Explosions were heard around 3:00 a.m. in Karaj, a city west of Tehran, while nearby Shahriar, on the capital’s western edge, saw blasts at residential buildings. Further east of Tehran, in Pardis, explosions were reported in two different parts of the town.

Along Iran’s southern coast, activity appeared to focus on strategic and military-linked areas. In Jask, a port in Hormozgan province near the Strait of Hormuz, witnesses reported a drone strike near a naval zone alongside air defense fire. In Chabahar, a key southeastern port on the Gulf of Oman, explosions were heard near Shahid Kalantari port, Tis port, and the Imam Ali base. Earlier, three missiles were reportedly launched from Jam in Bushehr province, a hub near major energy facilities.

Further inland, central and southern cities also reported attacks. Yazd, in central Iran, was hit by several strikes around dawn. In Ahvaz, the main city of the oil-rich Khuzestan province in the southwest, residents reported repeated fighter jet activity overhead. In Fars province, missiles were launched from a Revolutionary Guards air base in Larestan.

The strikes continued into daylight hours with two consecutive explosions heard in Shiraz, the provincial capital of Fars in southern Iran.

Powerful explosions were heard from a military site in northern Iran and an attack was reported in the southwestern city of Khorramshahr early on Monday, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.

Seven large blasts were heard at about 4:45 a.m. at the Fath military base, a helicopter production site between Malard and Meshkin Dasht in Alborz province.

Khorramshahr in Khuzestan province also came under attack on Monday morning, eyewitnesses said.

Reports late on Saturday and early on Sunday described explosions and warplane overflights across several Iranian provinces, including Isfahan, Alborz, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Fars, Bushehr, Gilan, Mazandaran and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

In Isfahan province, including Isfahan city, Baharestan, Najafabad, Fooladshahr, Mobarakeh and Lenjan, residents reported repeated explosions and shaking buildings, especially in southern parts of the city. Some messages spoke of more than 10 successive blasts.

In Alborz province, four explosions were reported in the Sohailieh area of Karaj. In Hormozgan province, residents in Bandar Lengeh and Kish reported warplane overflights and explosions.

In Khuzestan province, Mahshahr saw three early-morning explosions, while reports from Andimeshk said vehicles carrying equipment had gathered there.

Other reports described a missile launch in Shiraz, warplane overflights in Kangan in Bushehr province, an explosion in Deylaman in Gilan, a missile sighting in Shirgah in Mazandaran, and reported operations around Basht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

In Tehran, some northern and northeastern areas reported hearing distant explosions.

Several citizens said the price of Ryzodeg insulin jumped from 12 million rials (≈$8) to 76 million rials (≈$51). Five-dose packs of NovoRapid and Lantus now sell for 15–18 million rials (≈$10–$12).

A resident reported that the blood thinner Plavix, crucial to preventing strokes and heart attacks, rose from 7.5 million rials (≈$5) to 27 million rials (≈$18) in recent weeks.

An ordinary Iranian citizen earns approximately $100–$150 per month.

Shortages leave patients struggling

Before the war and US-Israeli attacks, insulin was already limited, with insurance covering only one dose per week. Residents say the scarcity has now reached crisis levels.

One citizen in Parand near Tehran said: “I couldn’t find my diabetes medications for a month, even without a prescription. Two types, Lantus and Apidra, usually last a week each, but I ran out completely.”

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Another said his mother had to travel from Karaj to Qazvin (over 110 km) to obtain essential medicines. Tehran residents report difficulty finding Asentra (sertraline) for depression and Iran-made blood thinner Osvix.

Supply chain disruptions deepen crisis

Residents link shortages to halted imports from Turkey and Dubai. A transit driver said fewer registered shipments have reduced cargo flow. Local distributors have paused sales, while pharmacies face delayed deliveries and payments.

“Our city has more pharmacies than any other shop, but even acetaminophen is unavailable,” a Sari resident in northern Iran said.

The shortages coincide with rising food prices and widespread business closures, adding to economic strain.

However, Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice President, said on Wednesday that strategic drug reserves are in good condition and ordered “immediate import” of essential medicines. Residents, however, continue to report high prices and irregular availability.

Global healthcare impact

NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey warned that the Iran war could disrupt healthcare supplies internationally. Speaking to LBC Radio on Wednesday, Mackey said syringes, gloves, and intravenous bags may become scarce due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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“A team has been set up across the NHS to assess risks through the supply chains. Almost everything may be at risk, as Britain relies heavily on imports for medicines and healthcare equipment,” Mackey said.

Medicines UK chief executive Mark Samuels said Britain could face further shortages if the conflict prolongs, noting that 85 percent of NHS medicines are generic and largely sourced from India.