FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno City Council President and Iranian-American Mike Karbassi took a rare stance on an international event Monday, sharing his support for the intensifying U.S.-Israeli military action in Iran.<\/p>\n
“I want us to be focused on roads and safety, but I am the first Persian-American on the council, and I am the council president. I am compelled to talk about this because I think a lot of folks are going to be concerned and scared,” Karbassi said.<\/p>\n
Karbassi first expressed his support in a statement released Saturday.<\/p>\n
It comes as he prepares for a run at a seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.<\/p>\n
Speaking passionately Monday, he told us his family members are actively navigating the war-torn region.<\/p>\n
“I say to folks, this isn’t a war. This is a rescue mission,” the council president said. “We’re rescuing the Iranian people, but we’re also protecting our national interests, because you’ve seen what they’re doing now, bombing bases, bombing the Gulf states, trying to bomb Israel constantly. If they had a nuclear bomb, they’d do it too.”<\/p>\n
But the country sits divided on the U.S’s choice to act.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, people took to the streets in North Fresno condemning the attack on Iran.<\/p>\n
Valley Congressman Jim Costa also shared concern in a statement, writing in part,<\/p>\n
“While confronting these threats is necessary, military action of this magnitude carries serious risks. Our troops are in harm’s way, and there is a real possibility that this conflict could expand into a wider and prolonged war in the Middle East without the understanding or support of the American people.”<\/p>\n
More than 2,000 people with Iranian ancestry call Fresno home, and Karbassi made it clear the cost that comes with liberation is not lost on anyone.<\/p>\n
“The Persian American community is worried about our service members. We don’t want any Americans to get killed in the name of, of course, stopping tyranny, but they’re grateful,” Karbassi said.<\/p>\n
When the attack was first launched, President Trump told the Iranian people the government would be theirs to take, and Karbassi believes that will be reality.<\/p>\n
“We need the Iranian people stepping up and coming out and taking over their government. I think that’s going to happen,” Karbassi said.<\/p>\n
The council president made it clear in his interview with Action News that this is his own individual stance and he will not be presenting any resolutions or proclamations to his fellow council members.<\/p>\n
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