Iranian Exiles in London Reflect on War and Regime Change

In North Finchley, London, a significant Iranian community grapples with mixed emotions following the outbreak of war involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Sara, a member of this diaspora, expressed her discomfort with the celebrations surrounding the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While she acknowledges relief at his passing, she feels a profound sense of doom regarding the potential consequences of the conflict. “I couldn’t dance,” she stated, emphasizing the disconnect between the jubilant celebrations and the realities faced by those still in Iran.

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Sara's father, Geff, who fled Iran in 1987, shares her ambivalence. He recognizes the brutality of the Iranian regime but is skeptical of U.S. intentions. “We know the USA isn’t coming to help us; they’re coming to help themselves,” he remarked, highlighting a belief that any U.S. intervention may serve its own interests rather than those of the Iranian people.

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The war has prompted a shift in perspectives among some Iranian exiles. Kimia Movahedi, a 28-year-old student, has developed a newfound admiration for former President Donald Trump, viewing his actions as a necessary stand against the Iranian regime. “I’m looking on this as a rescue mission even though I know it’s a war,” she stated, reflecting a sentiment that the conflict is a response to years of international appeasement of the Iranian government.

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Conversely, others in the community, like Navid Tafagodi, express disillusionment with the British government's approach to Iran. Tafagodi criticized the UK for engaging diplomatically with the regime, arguing that such actions undermine the plight of the Iranian people. “The appeasement of the British government towards Iran has been unbelievable,” he said, underscoring a belief that the UK has failed to adequately support those suffering under the regime.

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Critics within the Iranian community are vocal about their disappointment with the international response to the Iranian regime. Movahedi articulated frustration with the UK’s diplomatic stance, suggesting that it has inadvertently supported the regime by allowing it to operate without sufficient accountability. “The UK has been supporting the regime by engaging in diplomacy with them,” she asserted, calling for a more robust stance against the Iranian government.

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Sara, while acknowledging the celebrations around her, remains cautious about the implications of the war. “They can dance if they want,” she said, referring to those celebrating outside her home. “But they’re not the people who will live with the consequences of this.”

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• “I couldn’t dance.” — Sara, Iranian Exile

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• “We know the USA isn’t coming to help us; they’re coming to help themselves,” — Geff, Iranian Exile

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• “I’m looking on this as a rescue mission even though I know it’s a war,” — Kimia Movahedi, Iranian Exile

The Guardian

• “The appeasement of the British government towards Iran has been unbelievable.” — Navid Tafagodi, Iranian Exile

The Guardian

The sentiments expressed by the Iranian diaspora in London reflect a complex interplay of hope, skepticism, and concern as they navigate the uncertain landscape of war and regime change.

The Guardian