Iranian Americans express hope and fear about what comes next

Geoff Bennett:

There are more than a half-million people of Iranian ancestry living in the U.S.

We spoke with some of them to learn how they're feeling about the war and what might come next.

Zahra Assar-Nossoni, Iranian American:

My name is Zahra Assar-Nossoni. I'm an American Iranian. I moved to U.S. 14 years ago to pursue my Ph.D.

I grew up in Iran my entire life, but I did not see any future to stay and work there because the government -- because of the government.

Hamid Kashani, Iranian American:

My name is Hamid Kashani. I came from Iran in 1973 following graduating from high school to attend higher educations in the United States.

Reza Ebrahimi, Iranian American:

I am Reza Ebrahimi. I'm 37 years old. I came to United States on the age of 27 in 2015. I'm a volunteer firefighter. I'm a member of the sheet metal union. I'm a U.S. citizen.

Kowsar Gowhari, Iranian American:

My name is Kowsar Gowhari. I was born in 1979 at the heart of revolution. Parents were students here in the U.S. I was 8 months when they decided to go back to Iran. I grew up in Iran. And in 2003 after graduating from undergrad, I moved to the U.S. and ever since I have been living in the state of Maryland.

Ali Tarokh, Iranian American:

My name is Ali Tarokh. And I arrived here 13 years ago as a refugee, to the U.S. Refugee Admission Program from Iran.

Betty Emamian, Iranian American:

My name is Betty Emamian. I came to United States in 1982. I left Iran in 1978.

It is very difficult to watch, especially for us in diaspora, because we're not there, we're not in the forefront. We're praying that the men and women of Iran who are opposing this regime get their country back. And at the same time, we just take it day by day and glued to the news channels and social media outlets.

Zahra Assar-Nossoni:

I woke up Saturday morning. I woke up to the news. Definitely, at first, it was shocking. It was scary. But then we heard the news that the supreme leader was targeted and was killed. That was the start to feel for us, it was an exhale, the exhale of like, OK, there's finally some justice.

Kowsar Gowhari:

Although I know, again, that the grievances were very, very valid, very legitimate, I don't see any foreign intervention bringing any betterment of life to Iranian people. So, with worry and sadness and anxiety, I watch the news, and I'm really concerned for the future of Iran politically. But, also on a personal level, I'm very concerned for my family and friends.

I'm hoping for the cease-fire soon, because this war won't benefit anybody, any parties involved.

Reza Ebrahimi:

When they started dropping bomb, like, we were like so excited. I was happy. I was like, my heart was coming out of my chest. But I was crying at the same time. I couldn't believe it.

Hamid Kashani:

You never want your country to be invaded by an outside force. You don't want the innocent lives lost. But in the current situations and what occurred just a few weeks ago with the massacres in the streets, we realized that the people are -- hands are empty against a vicious regime that has no qualms about mass killing of its own people.

Reza Ebrahimi:

We can build it again. The damaged regime down to Iran, it's more than whatever the bomb going to do it. On Sunday, we had to go to a rally. I was excited to talk to people.

It is very important for every single Iranian. We always talk about it. Show Americans who we are.

Kowsar Gowhari:

We go to protests. We want to be seen. We want to be heard. I mean, it's chaos just seeing those pictures of these schoolgirls killed in Minab elementary school. It became very impactful in terms of making diaspora understand what the impact of military intervention would be.

Ali Tarokh:

I used to be a political activist. And, in 2009, after the election, I was arrested. I was in solitary confinement for four months. And, later, they put me in prison for two years. I don't like the regime. I want them to go. But I learned it's very important how to make changes, OK?

I am against any foreign intervention. It's very hard to see this war happen inside Iran. And my most frustration is on Iranian diaspora pushing for that war, and they sold the war as a good thing.

Reza Ebrahimi:

War is tough. But everything has a cost, yes. But, also, we always look at the daylight after it. We believe on Reza Pahlavi. His father built Iran very strong.

Ali Tarokh:

Since the war started, I prepared myself for any scenarios, bad news. And, today, my mom called me. And, whew, they are ready to be killed, OK? And this is the reality.

Hamid Kashani:

We did witness the result of the invasion of Iraq, for example. And we saw the aftermath for years and years and years. And then we saw what's happened in Afghanistan. So we are definitely worried about the outcome in Iran.

Zahra Assar-Nossoni:

Living in this moment, it's really scary, because, again, I was born in Iran. I grew up in Iran. I know these people, but we're all hopeful and positive and hoping there will be a light at the end of this tunnel.