My Perspective on the War Imposed on Iran by Israe
I want to speak about the war that Israel has imposed on my country, Iran, because I believe I must share the reality experienced by myself outside of my country, my friends and my family inside, something that is largely absent from mainstream media coverage.
There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a dictatorship. And its first and most direct victims are the people of Iran themselves: both those still inside the country and those who have been forced into exile due to unbearable conditions.
At the same time, Israel – a government condemned for genocide – continues to receive backing from powerful global actors. It is a tragic reflection of our times. We are caught between two reckless and inhumane regimes, neither of which cares about the people.
The situation inside Iran is even more dire. In recent years, especially during the Women, Life, Freedom uprising, the Islamic Republic has killed, imprisoned, silenced, and threatened thousands. And now, amid the threat of war, the government has done nothing to protect its citizens:
- No shelters have been built
- State media is completely unreliable
- The internet is unstable
- And people receive no official alerts
They only learn about incoming attacks through the sound of bombs or anti-aircraft defence systems, with no prior warning. Tehran has been the target of repeated bombings, but this is not just about Tehran. In many cities across the country, the war continues. (Tabriz, Kermanshah, Shiraz, Isfahan, Karaj, and so on) Most of civilian and military zones are not separated, so every explosion puts innocent lives at risk. We don’t even have accurate numbers on the dead or wounded.
My friends, my family, and I do not want war. If there must be a change in government, war is not the way. It will not bring us a better future, just as it hasn’t brought peace to our neighbouring countries.
Right now:
- Most bank accounts are being frozen without explanation. People can not buy necessities!
- Gasoline is rationed, making it impossible for people to move freely.
- Some people are trying to flee high-risk cities. But how can 13 million people in Tehran be evacuated in just a few days? Many don’t own a car, don’t have fuel, or have elderly, sick family members or small children who cannot easily be relocated. Highways are clogged with traffic, and many people say, “We’d rather stay and die in our homes than be left on the roads with no fuel and no shelter.”
- The economic crisis makes it even worse. Most people simply can’t afford to travel or seek safety.
Meanwhile, some groups – mostly abroad – are advocating for the return of the monarchy. Netanyahu’s relationship with the son of Iran’s former King is no secret, and efforts are being made to promote this option. On the other side, some politicians prefer to keep this Islamic government, but in a weak version. No one cares about improving Iranians’ lives!
I’m not claiming to have all the answers. If that day comes, the future of Iran should be decided through a national referendum. But many of us are firmly opposed to the idea of restoring the monarchy, for three main reasons:
- If monarchy were the answer, the people wouldn’t have overthrown it around 50 years ago.
- The former crown prince has mostly lived his entire life abroad! He has no significant achievements, no experience in governance, and even failed to organise or maintain a diverse opposition group during the recent uprising. He has shown no leadership capacity.
- We are fighting for democracy. A centralised dictatorship, whether religious or royal, will not solve anything.
And finally, about the media: global outlets repeatedly refer to Israel’s “right to defend itself.” But it was Israel that initiated this war. That narrative is designed to invert the truth and justify destruction. At the end of the day, it is the people – ordinary civilians – who are dying under the bombs. And
no political cause justifies this. War is never the answer.
These are the voices of my people:
“If I leave Tehran, who will take care of my elderly, ill parents?”
“My wife is a doctor, she can’t leave the hospital. How could I leave her alone?”
“I don’t have enough fuel to leave… and even if I did, where would I go? All cities are under attack.”
“I’m outside of Iran now, but I want to return. Everything I love is under attack. The borders are closed. I feel like I’ve abandoned my country.”
“No one cares about us. We can’t even trust our own government to tell us the truth.”
“I play with my child and pretend the sounds and lights in the sky are fireworks. I tell her they’re happy things. How can I explain war to a child?”
These are not just quotes. They are the truth of a people abandoned by their government, by the world and by the narratives that erase them.
