Remembering family in Iran, and hoping to avoid war

My first visit to Iran was in 2005. I was 15 years old, and our mom had just passed away after a long fight with cancer. Both of my parents are originally from Iran but immigrated at different points in their life, finding each other — and love — in Orlando.

In our luggage we carried our mom’s ashes with the intent of releasing them into the Caspian Sea. I will never forget walking off the plane and into a dark, crowded bus that drove us from the cracked tarmac and toward the main terminal. It was hot, uncomfortable and overwhelming. But everything changed when I met my family for the first time.

My family recognized us before we recognized them, and they greeted us four with hugs, kisses, tears and flowers. At one point, a young Iranian man took our luggage to help carry it, and I saw my big brother clench up, not knowing who he was. Noticing my brother’s reaction, the young man smiled sweetly and said in English, “Relax, I’m your cousin!”

When we talk about war with Iran or with any nation, it is critically important that we not lose sight of who would be directly impacted by such a significant decision. As an Iranian-American, this is especially personal for me, but it is not just the Iranian people who would feel the brunt of war — U.S. troops, officials, and allies would be placed directly in harm’s way while Iraqis would be (and some already are) caught in the crossfire, along with people in other nations across the region.

Tuesday night’s missile attack by Iran was the first example of this, and if we don’t take action now toward peace, it might not be the last.

The people of Iran, just like Americans, are diverse in their political perspectives and leanings. Youth is the largest population bloc, with over 60% of Iran’s 81 million people under 30 years old. Based on conversations with my family and with Iranians across the diaspora, it can be said that a large number of Iranians do not feel well represented by their government and want to see a reformed political system that includes a positive relationship with the United

States.

This past November (and in years prior) the world watched Iranians protest their government, only to be met with gross state-sanctioned violence and a national shutdown of the internet.

Despite vocal animosity towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, hundreds of thousands of Iranians have attended funerals for Gen. Qasem Soleimani — a reflection of Iranian nationalism that perhaps President Trump underestimated. And though there are Iranians who will mourn Soleimani’s death, it still does not mean that they desire war as a final outcome.

There is a common theme that I hear from Iranians of being trapped between two governments who punish them without reason.

On one side you have an oppressive regime with deep human-rights violations, lack of modern policies, and a struggling economy. On the other, you face sanctions, the potential of racial discrimination, a travel ban that arbitrarily restricts your ability to enter and leave the United States, along with an end to the nuclear deal, that — when signed in 2015 — led to Iranians dancing in the streets filled with hope for a better and brighter future.

Hope for that future is not completely lost, but it could be dragged into an endless war unless we take action to prevent it now.

Today, the War Powers Resolution is expected to be voted in the U.S. House. This would set limitations on the President’s ability to attack Iran and provide congressional oversight. You can contact your member of Congress and ask them to support this measure.

On Thursday, national peace rallies will be hosted across America, including one outside Orlando City Hall from 5-8 p.m. You are invited to attend and show your support.

One of the messages another cousin sent me last night read,

Honestly, I could not have said it better myself.