What has happened in Iran while Marjane was gone?

In the section titled, The Shabbat, the family and some of their neighbors sit in the Satrapi living room. One of the neighbors tells them that Iraq now has long-range missiles that can reach Tehran. Marjane tells them all that Iranians “are Olympic champions when it comes to gossip” and they agree that it is probable that Iraq does not have such sophisticated technology. Iraq does have long-range missiles however and soon new bombings begin. The missiles, called Scuds, are able to do so much damage that the family does not even go to the basement when the sirens sound because it would do no good if one hit their building. Many people leave Tehran at this point and the city becomes deserted. The Baba-Levy’s, a family that lives next to the Satrapis, decide to go and live at the Hilton where the concrete reinforced buildings are supposed to be stronger. The Baba-Levy’s are one of the few Jewish families left in Iran.