Iranian diaspora ‘numb’ as protest death toll climbs
Members of the Iranian community in Australia are feeling “numb” and helpless as the death toll rises in violent anti-regime protests.
At least 490 protesters have been killed in two weeks of unrest across the country, according to US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran, as the government steps up massive efforts to stop the uprising.
Dozens of security personnel also died and more than 10,600 people were arrested, the group said.
The protests began in response to rising inflation but quickly turned political, with protesters demanding the resignation of religious rulers.
Iran has warned it will retaliate if the United States attacks, after President Donald Trump said he might intervene in deadly demonstrations.
Siamak Ghahreman, president of the Australia-Iran Community Organization, said many people were having difficulty communicating with their families back home due to the internet outage, leaving the country cut off from the rest of the world.
“It’s really sad and the whole community is numb, plus there’s not much people can really do from here,” he told AAP.
“We held demonstrations, sent letters to the government, but that’s all we can do. It’s been like this for 47 years.”
It is feared that the death toll will increase because the protesters and the government do not step back.
“The Iranian government lacks common sense and is willing to kill as many people as it takes to survive and come to power,” Mr. Ghahreman said.
“This is how it goes: People won’t stop until they topple the government. This time they’re completely fed up.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday condemned the regime for oppressing and killing its people.
“We stand with the Iranian people who are defending their human rights, defending their dignity, standing up for necessary change,” he told reporters in Canberra.
He said the Islamic Republic’s regime was playing a “bad role internationally” and that was why in 2025 Iran expelled its ambassador due to the involvement of its institutions in attacks on Australian territory.
Australia-Iran Victoria Association vice president Kambiz Razmara said feelings in the community were mixed.
“On the one hand, people are suffering and being persecuted under the same oppressive regime as they have been for the last 50 years,” he said.
“On the other hand, if there is a silver lining, it is that the end of oppression is near and people are struggling hard to get there.”
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