Iranian Australians opposed to their country’s authoritarian regime say they are experiencing a complex mix of emotions following last week’s attack on Iran by Israel. While anxiety for their loved ones persists, there is also a sense of relief that high-ranking regime officials have been killed.
On Friday, Israeli jets launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military bases and nuclear research sites, killing three senior military commanders and two scientists involved in Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, and both nations continued to exchange fire over the weekend. Reports indicate that civilians have also been among the casualties on both sides.
From Melbourne, Nos Hosseini, a spokesperson for the Iranian Women’s Association, shared her concerns. “I’ve spoken to family and friends in Iran, many of whom live in Tehran or near the oil refineries where missiles have hit,” she said. “They’ve heard explosions, and some saw their windows rattling and shaking.”
Despite the ongoing threat and fear of further attacks, Hosseini noted a surprising sense of relief among many Iranians she knows and has seen in social media posts. “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and those responsible for human rights violations… have been targeted and killed in these attacks. For some, that’s been a cause for celebration,” she explained.
While the situation remains tense and uncertain, many Iranian Australians are navigating a complex emotional landscape feeling both worry for loved ones and hope that these strikes might weaken the regime’s hold on power.
+ There are no comments
Add yours