Mehdi, a student who moved to Londonderry from Tehran three months ago to complete a PhD at Ulster University, told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme that watching what was happening was heartbreaking.
“People are not protesting. I think the word protest is not correct, it’s a revolution,” Mehdi said.
“People came to the street shouting what they wanted, they wanted their freedom, and unfortunately the Islamic regime opened fire.”
He said due to hyperinflation in Iran, people had “become 45% poorer in just four months”.
“Everyone was trying to do their job, but they couldn’t make enough money to feed their family.
The Derry-based student said he had been unable to contact family in Iran for the past few days.
“I feel ashamed. Why? Because I’m here, I’m in a safe place and my brothers, my sisters in Iran are in a heavy threat of death,” he said.
He said Iranian people were “counting on” Donald Trump”.
“At this time we really need his help,” he said.