By MEE correspondent in Tehran
Published date: 24 June 2025 15:22 BST

"In the middle of an empty street in Tehran, a young man stood playing the violin. As fear of Israeli air strikes drove people indoors at nightfall, his music carried through the quiet neighbourhoods, offering residents a moment of solace and peace.

“I just wanted to remind my fellow citizens that the lovely sound of love and music is louder than the terrifying sound of bombs and explosions,” the musician, who didn't want to share his name, told Middle East Eye.

“I’m not into politics at all, but I wanted to give love to the people around me and remind them that life is still going on.”"

Violins over violence: Tehran’s musicians fought fear with music

As Israeli bombs fell and Iran's air defence systems lit up the skies over Tehran, music drifted through parts of the city. In the middle of an empty street in Tehran, a young man stood playing the violin.

^{MEE correspondent (Middle East Eye)}