Conflict in Iran: Civilians Stranded Without Assistance

As the U.S. and Israel continue their conflict with Iran, now in its fifth week, an alarming situation unfolds for more than 93 million civilians in Iran. These individuals find themselves trapped in a war zone, lacking essential missile warnings or reliable internet access. Additionally, around four million Iranians living abroad are disconnected from their families back home.

Amidst this turmoil, a group known as Holistic Resilience is working to provide support through an app named Mahsa Alert, named after Mahsa Amini—a 22-year-old who died after being detained by Iran’s “morality police.” This incident triggered significant protests, making Amini a symbol for the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

New York Fed President John Williams has expressed concerns that rising oil prices from Iran’s ongoing conflicts might have broader economic implications.

Holistic Resilience noted that they first recognized the dangers faced by civilians during a brief conflict in June 2025.

Ahmad Ahmadian, the group’s executive director, remarked that people are often checking on their loved ones in various neighborhoods, trying to avoid areas at risk of attack. Volunteers contribute by validating around 100 tips daily, using sources like social media videos and photographs, along with data from numerous surveillance cameras across Iran.

Geographically, Iran presents its own challenges for effective mapping, being the world’s 17th largest country. Ahmadian expressed the urgency of their work, noting, “We have to be awake so that we can send that notification immediately,” explaining that some team members work marathon hours, often at their own expense, for the sake of civilians’ safety. “This is vital, and it can save lives,” he emphasized.

Although the Israeli Defense Forces share evacuation notices through their Persian social media account, many civilians remain uninformed due to Iran’s severely limited internet access—estimated at less than 1%. This lack of connectivity makes it harder for evacuation messages to reach those who need them.

The Mahsa Alert app serves as a crucial resource for people relocating, providing information on hospitals, blood banks, and safe spots, even when internet access is unavailable. Ahmadian highlighted the necessity of such tools as evacuations commence.

It’s evident that the Iranian government seems to prioritize external objectives over the needs of its citizens. Instead of issuing public safety alerts, it reportedly sends threatening texts to discourage information sharing.

Authorities accuse those who report information via the app of being spies, and tensions have escalated as the Iranian government has attacked the group, questioning their credibility and alleging hacks. Since the start of the conflict in late February, a rise in cyber threats has also been documented against them.

In one case, Ahmadian recounted that information about missile launches came from a location later found to be a women’s dormitory, indicating possible deception aimed at fueling anti-Israeli sentiments in the media. He concluded, “This is not our war. This was not our war.”