The explosion was so loud and strong, the elderly resident of northern Tehran said she felt it in her heart, describing the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that boomed across the Iranian capital and raised columns of smoke.

Though some Iranians mourned the death of their supreme leader, others rejoiced. Their celebrations were furtive and short-lived to avoid riot police or other authorities.

Some Iranians said on social media that they were privately mourning the supreme leader. But displays of exuberance broke out in cities across the country.

Iranian regime thugs squared off with student protestors in the streets of Tehran Saturday leaving some injured, as the Islamic Republic refuted claims that they’ve slaughtered more than 30,000 of their own people.

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, March 3 (Reuters) - Terrified residents of Iran's capital described it as a ghost town on Tuesday, its streets largely emptied by a U.S.-Israeli missile barrage apart from security checkpoints and Revolutionary Guards patrols that rove the city.

Ali, a 39-year-old man living in Tehran, spoke to ABC News about what life has been like for him in the past week. "Life these days is both full of excitement and joy, and at the same time extremely difficult and anxiety-inducing," he said. Ali's identity has also been concealed by ABC News for his own safety.

Explore the dual threats faced by Tehran residents, the fear of bombings and the pervasive terror of Iran's prisons.

The killing of Iran’s tyrannical Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday in an unprecedented joint military attack by the US and Israel called Operation Epic Fury set off widespread celebrations from Iranians around the world — as President Trump said it would give them their “greatest chance” to “take back the country.