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In the early hours of Saturday, Iranian-Canadian Bahar Tarzi awoke to a flurry of notifications on her phone, alerting her to the commencement of military strikes in Iran. With an exhilarated shout that resonated through her home in Barrie, Ontario, she excitedly informed her husband and 13-year-old son, “It’s happening! It’s happening.” Tarzi, who leads the Iranian Canadian Social and Cultural Council, expressed her long-held desire for an end to the oppressive regime in Iran, stating, “We want an end to this dictatorship.”
A Mixed Response from the Diaspora
Zara Marzban, a 36-year-old who emigrated from Iran to Canada four years ago, received a distressing call from her sister early Saturday morning. She was told, “They are bombing,” but reassured that her family was safe. Marzban quickly sought updates on social media, acutely aware of the potential ramifications for women in Iran should regime change occur. Having been compelled to wear a hijab since the age of nine, she reflected on her lack of safety and freedom during her upbringing in Iran. “As a woman, I didn’t feel safe there,” she noted.
Similarly, Mersad Katebi, a 21-year-old engineering student who left Iran five years ago, was preparing to join a protest against the Iranian government when he received word from his cousin in Iran, who excitedly announced the onset of war. “I was like, oh, wow,” he remarked, feeling a mix of joy and apprehension as he anticipated the potential for change.
By the afternoon, the streets of Richmond Hill, north of Toronto, transformed from a site of protest into a vibrant celebration as thousands from the Iranian-Canadian community gathered. The atmosphere was electric, filled with dance and the sounds of honking horns, as attendees donned the Iranian tricolour flag and sported “Make Iran Great Again” caps. Among them, Marzban smiled broadly, her hair covered only by a simple wool hat, as the community united in a moment of jubilation.
Cautious Optimism Amidst Fears
While many expressed hope that foreign military intervention could weaken the Iranian regime and pave the way for democracy, others in the diaspora voiced caution. Sasan Issari, a social worker and academic, underscored the complexities of Iran, warning that military action could have unintended consequences, exacerbating instability in the region. “This is so risky and there are so many unknowns,” he cautioned. He highlighted the current internet blackout in Iran, which could facilitate the spread of misinformation amidst the chaos.
Pouya Morshedi, a sociology lecturer at Acadia University, echoed Issari’s concerns, emphasising that genuine change must emerge from the Iranian people themselves rather than external forces. Having lived in Canada since 2018, he received anxious messages from family members in Iran who were sheltering from the bombardment. “The only way that we can have hope for the future in Iran is through the people who are inside Iran,” he stated, signalling a desire for internal reform over foreign intervention.
Reza Hadisi, a philosophy professor at the University of Toronto, expressed fears of a potential repeat of history, where the removal of one regime leads to the resurgence of another. “People are just so angry, so desperate, that they say ‘anything is better,’” he reflected, urging caution in the face of overwhelming emotions.
Political Support and Personal Joy
As events unfolded, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced his government’s endorsement of the military intervention, labelling the Iranian regime as the “principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East.” Tarzi, for her part, welcomed this decision, viewing it as a necessary response to an oppressive regime that had suppressed peaceful protests with lethal force. “Diplomacy was never going to work with a tyrannical regime,” she asserted.
As the protests reignited in Iran, Tarzi’s family faced heightened fears for their safety. She recounted how her loved ones had stopped celebrating events and birthdays, living under a “blanket of sorrow.” Yet, that Saturday brought a moment of relief when she received a call from her sister in Tehran, who relayed news of the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Everyone is happy and celebrating,” her sister said, marking a moment of hope amidst distressing circumstances.
As the evening approached, Tarzi, along with her family, prepared to join friends at a community centre in Richmond Hill for further celebrations. “Now is the time of the people,” she proclaimed, as they looked forward to a new chapter in Iran’s tumultuous history.
Why it Matters
The unfolding situation in Iran highlights the deep-rooted complexities of international intervention and its potential fallout. While many in the Iranian-Canadian community celebrate the hope for change, the concerns raised by experts about the repercussions of military action serve as a crucial reminder of the need for cautious optimism. The voices of those both within and outside Iran are vital in shaping the narrative of change, urging a focus on grassroots movements rather than reliance on foreign powers. As the world watches, the future of Iran remains uncertain, but the resilience and unity of its diaspora offer a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
