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The Iranian-Canadian community has erupted in a mixture of joy and trepidation following news of military actions against the Iranian government. As reports surfaced of bombings in Iran, many expatriates gathered in cities across Canada to express their hopes for a regime change, while also grappling with the potential consequences of foreign intervention.
A Morning of Mixed Emotions
In Barrie, Ontario, Bahar Tarzi awoke at 4 a.m. to a flurry of updates on social media about the escalation of conflict in her homeland. With excitement, she woke her husband and 13-year-old son, exclaiming, “It’s happening! It’s happening!” Tarzi, who heads the Iranian Canadian Social and Cultural Council, has long wished for an end to what she describes as a suffocating dictatorship. “I have been praying for this,” she shared, embodying the collective hope of many in the Iranian diaspora.
In Toronto, Zara Marzban received an anxious call from her sister in Iran, who informed her of the bombings. “They are bombing,” her sister said, reassuring her that while they were safe, connectivity might soon be lost. For Marzban, who left Iran four years ago, the implications of such military action hit close to home. Growing up under the regime’s strict rules, she often felt oppressed, particularly as a woman forced to wear a hijab from a young age. “As a woman, I didn’t feel safe there,” she reflected.
A Celebration Turned Protest
By Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as thousands of Iranians gathered in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto. What was initially a protest transformed into a celebration of sorts. The streets buzzed with music and laughter, as demonstrators danced to the rhythm of honking horns and pulsating beats. Many participants donned the Iranian tricolour flag, with some sporting caps emblazoned with the slogan “Make Iran Great Again.” Marzban, now among the jubilant crowd, smiled widely, her hair partially covered by a grey wool tuque.
Across Canada, the Iranian-Canadian community shared a similar sentiment: a belief that foreign military action might weaken an oppressive regime, paving the way for democracy in Iran. However, not all members of the diaspora felt optimistic. Some expressed concern that such interventions could have unintended repercussions, potentially worsening the situation for civilians back home.
The Complexity of Intervention
Sasan Issari, a social worker and assistant professor at Trent University, voiced his apprehensions about the military intervention. He cautioned against the risks associated with foreign bombings, highlighting the potential for civilian casualties to incite further anti-Western sentiments. “This is so risky, and there are so many unknowns,” he stated, emphasising that history has shown that military action does not always lead to liberation.
Pouya Morshedi, who has studied the Iranian revolution of 1979, echoed similar concerns. He expressed a desire for change to come from within Iran, rather than through external forces. “The only way that we can have hope for the future in Iran is through the people who are inside Iran,” he asserted. Morshedi, who spoke to family members in Iran prior to the internet blackout, conveyed their fears as they sheltered from the bombings.
Voices of Caution Amidst Hope
Reza Hadisi, an Iranian-American philosophy lecturer at the University of Toronto, voiced fears of a repeat of past conflicts, where the overthrow of a regime led to further turmoil. He acknowledged the desperation felt by many Iranians but cautioned against the unpredictable nature of war. “I understand their anger, but I just worry that with war, who knows how it will go?” he said.
As U.S. President Donald Trump defended the military strikes, claiming they were necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed Canada’s support for the intervention. He labelled the Iranian regime as a primary source of instability in the Middle East, asserting that it must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
For Tarzi, the recent developments brought a sense of relief. She believes that diplomacy has proven ineffective against a regime that responds violently to dissent. As protests reignite in Iran, her fears for the safety of young people have intensified. “The country was living under a blanket of sorrow,” she explained, recounting how celebrations had dimmed amidst the regime’s brutality.
However, on this day, she received news from her sister in Tehran, who shared that the head of the regime, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had reportedly been killed. With family members safe, Tarzi felt a surge of hope. “Everyone is happy and celebrating,” she said, as she prepared to join friends in Richmond Hill for further festivities, embodying a spirit of resilience and optimism for a “new day for Iran.”
Why it Matters
The events unfolding in Iran and the subsequent reactions from the Iranian-Canadian community highlight the intricate balance between hope and fear in the face of conflict. As expatriates express their aspirations for a more democratic Iran, they remain acutely aware of the complexities and potential fallout of foreign military intervention. The collective voice of the diaspora not only reflects a yearning for change but also serves as a reminder of the human cost of political upheaval, underscoring the urgent need for thoughtful, informed approaches to international relations and support for those enduring oppression at home.
