While some in Iran celebrate, others bracing for possible Israeli response

Hundreds of people gathered in Tehran's Palestine Square, waving Iranian and Palestinian national flags and shouting anti-Israel slogans on Sunday.

Some demonstrators said the attack on the IRGC military facility in Damascus, Syria was a violation of Iran's national sovereignty. 

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released statements claiming it had launched "tens of missile and drones" and "successfully hit and destroyed" important Israeli military targets. 

The IRGC said the launches came in response to "numerous Israeli crimes." It also warned that any threat by the United States and Israel, or from any other country, would receive a "reciprocal and proportionate response” from Iran. 

One demonstrator, who was identified only by his first name, Reza, said, “Iran is a powerful and independent country. We will never allow anyone to violate Iranian territory. Any enemy contemplating aggression against Iran will meet the same fate as Israel.” 

Meanwhile, in the Iranian parliament, video showed the parliament members and government officials cheering as the reports of launches against Israel were reported. 

⚡️ Iran's parliament chants "Death to Israel!"

Iran has notified the U.S. through Switzerland that their bases will become a military target if Washington supports an Israeli retaliatory strike. pic.twitter.com/9SgzjrDcuy

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 14, 2024

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN claimed: “Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded.” 

It also warned the United States against interfering. 

“However, if the Israeli regime makes a mistake, Iran will respond much more severely. This is a struggle between Iran and the criminal Israeli regime. The United States must not interfere.”

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned: “If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response.” 

However, not all Iranians appear to be as joyful as those demonstrating in support of the strikes on Israel. 

Videos posted to social media early Sunday reportedly showed long lines of cars at several gas stations waiting to fuel up, as Iranians brace for a possible Israeli retaliation. Some lines allegedly stretched for over one kilometer (over half a mile).

The Iranian people are panicking about the Israeli response, with huge lines forming at gas stations in Tehran and raids on supermarket shelves. pic.twitter.com/jpMWUJnPOz

— Real Palestinian 🇮🇱 (@shim_rational) April 13, 2024

Several major airports across Iran also announced they were suspending flights until Monday morning, according to reports in Iranian media. 

Among the closures was Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, the main transportation hub in Iran's capital.

"All flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport have been cancelled until 6 am (0230 GMT) following an announcement by Iran's civil aviation organization," the airport's executive told the Iranian Student News Agency. 

While N12 News quoted a senior Israeli military official, who promised the country would provide "significant response", Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a message to 𝕏, promising victory.

"We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win," Netanyahu wrote.

Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel have all reopened their airspace following the Iranian attacks on Israel over Saturday night and into early Sunday morning.