Iranian-Americans in New York called the Islamic republic’s savage massacre of anti-regime protesters “heartbreaking” – as they anxiously wait to see what action President Trump takes to back demonstrators.
The death toll from the protests that were sparked over Iran’s crumbling economy has reached more than 500 protesters as the government is accused of detaining more than 10,000 people – leading Trump to threaten US military force against the authoritarian regime.
“Iranian government, you can’t trust them,” said a 61-year-old Great Neck man whose wife remains in Iran.
“They are full of lies. Corrupted. They smuggle drugs, guns. They sell body parts. We don’t say anything because we are afraid.”
New York City-based lawyer Maryam Jahedi-Perez said the spike in deadly violence against Iranians fighting for a better life is “heartbreaking.”
She said the internet black-out by the government is an ominous sign.
“They don’t want this part of the world to see what’s going on,” Jahedi-Perez said.
James Irani said “things are getting worse” because the Iranian government is willing to give an inch, but he hopes Trump ratchets up pressure that could further isolate the nation.
“I think that could be the only break to stop their brutality against these innocent people,” said the Big Apple-based lawyer, who left Iran in the late 1970s.
Irani cautioned he doesn’t think military action in the Middle Eastern nation is the solution.
“But giving support or morale support to the people, that would help tremendously,” Irani said.
Trump and his national security team have been exploring a range of responses to Iran, including cyber-attacks or direct strikes by the US or Israel, two people connected to internal White House discussions told the Associated Press.
The commander-in-chief said late Sunday Iran wants to sit for negotiations with Washington after he has repeatedly vowed to take military action. But he added the US might need to “act” before a sit-down.
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The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said more than 10,600 people have been detained while at least 572 people have been killed due to clashes between protesters and Iranian security authorities.
About 503 of the dead were protesters while another 69 were members of security forces.
Jahedi-Perez said that if Trump gets involved, she doesn’t want Iranian citizens to face unintended consequences, similar to when the US slapped sanctions on Iran during Trump’s first term in office that damaged the economy.
The 61-year-old Iranian-American from Great Neck said he wants the US to intervene.
“I don’t know why Trump is waiting. This is the right time,” he said while also noting, “I hope [protesters] get some results but I doubt it because Trump is backing out.”
Benny, who has a barbershop in Great Neck, said he has many customers with ties to the beleaguered nation and they are thrilled Trump has shown interest in helping the demonstrations.
“We want Iran to be liberated, to become a free society,” he said. “A lot of people here left their land, their businesses, their livelihood. With the regime there it’s impossible.”
