Iranian Americans back their countrymen as protests continue

As protests against the brutal Islamic regime swept Iran, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

Iranian American protesters stood in the cold Sunday at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Their message to Trump: Don’t negotiate with the Khamenei government. Stick to your promise to come to the Iranian citizen’s rescue.

Thousands, perhaps millions, of Iranians have poured into the streets over the last three weeks to protest for freedom, chanting “Death to Khamenei,” the Supreme Leader of the theocratic country, and for Rezi Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah, to come back to lead the country.

Firouzeh, one of the members of Philly Iranians, spoke to Broad + Liberty. Both Firouzeh and Maryam, another protester, did not want their last names published for fear that their family members remaining in Iran might be targeted.

“We’ve been living under this murderous regime for over 47 years,” said Firouzeh. “And there have been many other uprisings…to put an end to this regime.”

The younger people, especially, want to live normal lives, she said. 

“And we’re protesting because the Iranians deserve a normal, accountable government,” said Firouzeh. “One that respects human dignity, freedom and basic rights.”

She came to America in 1984. Firouzeh studied in England then returned to Iran in 1978. The Islamic revolution that toppled the Shah happened a year later.

“I couldn’t take it,” she said. 

Maryam, a Chester County resident, was 13 when her family fled Iran. Her mother was German so they were able to leave as dual German-Iranian citizens but her Iranian grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins remained behind. 

Before the Islamists took over, Iran was a modern country, she said. Women could wear western clothing, get an education and work outside the home. After the revolution, the Islamists forced women to wear the hijab and their lives became restricted. Many of the women protesting are throwing off their hijabs.

Now, the Khamenei government has cut off phones, electricity, and the internet. Although Elon Musk deployed Starlink, not many people have it, said Firouzeh, who works as a fashion designer and marketing manager for a textile manufacturer in Philadelphia.

“It’s actually devastating what’s happening. These days, people are getting murdered in the streets,” she said. “Young people they’ve captured and detained and tortured in the prisons are being executed.”

News reports Monday said Trump may negotiate with the Khamenei government.

“We don’t want Mr. Trump to negotiate with them,” she said. “At this point, it’s ridiculous. How can they do that? I hope it never happens. The only thing the people of Iran want is regime change and replacement. They’re calling for Rezi Pahlavi. He had volunteered to represent his people in transitioning to democracy and bringing the country back.”

Asked what she would like the president to do, she said, “He said himself recently he would actually put an end to the regime if they continue to massacre and kill our people. And there have been so many dead people, innocent young people, and we would just like him to do what he said.”

Maryam said, “Khamenei has killed more than 2,000 people already.”

“We have connections with Iran,” she said. One woman who just escaped the country posted that “people are still protesting in the streets.”

But the regime’s soldiers and possibly mercenaries are “just shooting left or right.”

“The people in Iran have no weapons,” she said. “They just have their lives.”

“How long can they continue? They need help. And Trump had promised that if people get shot, that the U.S. is going to interfere, do something, but nothing has happened yet.”

She fears if Trump negotiates an agreement leaving the Ayatollah in place, “millions of people will be killed.”

“Khamenei is calling his own people, the Iranians, the enemies. Can you imagine that?” Maryam asked. “Fifteen-year-old boys have been shot. All the Iranians in the diaspora…we need to tell people what’s going on.” 

Meanwhile, the Trump administration warned Americans on Monday to leave Iran immediately.

Linda Stein is a Philadelphia-area journalist.