After 12 days of Israeli airstrikes that echoed in cities around the country, killing hundreds and sending waves of people fleeing their homes, Iranians voiced relief at the surprise overnight announcement of a ceasefire, Reuters reports.

For those in the Iranian capital it brought the prospect of a clean-up, a return to normal life and the soothing — for now at least — of anxiety about a further escalation and sustained warfare.

Many Iranians who fled the strikes were also glad, able to return home after tiring, expensive stays outside the city in rented accommodation or with relatives.

“I am overjoyed. It is over and we finally can live in peace. It was an unnecessary war and we people paid the price for the authorities’ war-mongering policies,” said Shima, 40, from Shiraz, withholding her name for fear of reprisals.

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