Iranians will their eyes on the sky for bomb when Israeli, US elections end

Since Israel and the US launched an unprovoked war on Iran on February 28, the country has endured bombings, a blockade, and sanctions.

Despite a sharp decrease in attacks following a memorandum of understanding in June, the threat of war has re-emerged as elections approach.

Many political commentators believe the US and Israel could restart the war after the elections, and Iranians are anticipating further strikes.

A 37-year-old Tehran resident, Sajad, says he believes there will be more fighting regardless of the election outcome.

Sajad argues that the rhetoric of Israeli officials signals their ambition is still to overthrow the Islamic Republic, which has controlled Iran since a 1979 revolution.

This view has support from Iranians inside and outside the country who oppose the government, but cyber intelligence operations make it difficult to gauge online reactions.

Iranian authorities have described pro-Israeli Iranians as "homeland sellers" and severely punish any perceived cooperation with Israel on national security charges.

They also fully blame the US and Israel for the nationwide protests in January, during which thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed.

The United Nations has stated that Iranian security forces committed crimes against humanity while cracking down on the protests.

A 32-year-old Tehran resident, Shayan, said he believes Iranians who hoped for the overthrow of the government are now disillusioned.

Shayan added that most Iranians do not have a choice but want some stability and peace.

President Trump has threatened to bring about the "death of a civilisation" in Iran and suggested the country’s map may look different after the war.

He has also repeatedly threatened to launch more major strikes against Iran’s power plants, bridges, and other civilian infrastructure if hostilities resume.

US media report that the country’s military is prepared to attack over the coming days if an order is given.

The other option Trump has threatened is prolonging a naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports in place since July, which has stopped the country’s oil exports and significantly disrupted trade.

Together with stringent sanctions, the US measures have made Iranians poorer and more isolated from the international community.

The Netanyahu government has also threatened to strike Iranian infrastructure again, including energy facilities.

Defence Minister Israel Katz has repeatedly said in recent months that he wants to send Iran "back into the Stone Age".

His election opponents and other prominent opposition figures have all cheered the US-Israeli attacks on Iran both during the current war and during last year’s 12-day war.

They are united in wanting to remove Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and dismantle the country’s nuclear programme.

Another goal is eliminating the Tehran-backed "axis of resistance" of armed forces who oppose Israel and the US across the region.

Israeli politicians are generally united on the war aims of overthrowing the Iranian establishment, but differ on the method.

Eisenkot has supported Netanyahu’s military strikes and praised Trump’s decision to launch attacks as courageous.

However, he also says that military operations cannot realistically overthrow the Islamic Republic, and that change must come from Iranians themselves.

Some Iranians have been mentally preparing themselves for conflict when the elections end.

Some have established groups with friends in different parts of the country to warn each other of imminent strikes if they hear fighter jets flying overhead.

These groups use domestic messaging apps or text messages since Iranian authorities have said they will impose more internet and communication shutdowns if deemed necessary.

In all seriousness, 90 million people have our eyes to the sky to see when there will be war.

The next major deadline is the US midterm elections on November 3.