TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – As the world watches a country in revolt, three Florida State University students and researchers are left seven thousand miles away, wondering what will come next.
Iran’s regime is facing significant pushback, as thousands take to the streets to oppose a totalitarian government.
Soon after the protests began, the government cut all internet access, leaving families outside of the country in the dark.
For the fifth year, FSU PhD Student Nina Zamani hopes her family stays strong.
“I just want to tell them that I am so proud of you,” she told WCTV Wednesday. “We feel absolutely guilty that we cannot be there to fight against this dictator regime beside you.”
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Mahdi Khadem is also a PhD student at Florida State. His whole family is in Iran and it’s been a week since he last contacted them.
“It’s just a complete blackout. Digital blackout in Iran right now,” he said. “We’re just very concerned about our friends and families.”
Sources told CBS News Tuesday that at least 12,000 protesters are feared dead, with that number possibly up to 20,000.
“I would say Iranian people are among the most brave people in the whole world,” Khadem said. “We have shown it previously, and we are showing it right now, this time.”
Behrouz Esfahani is also left wondering if his family is okay. The postdoctoral researcher is hoping for the best.
“I don’t know if my brother is in the streets. If he is alive or not,” he said.
All three said these protests seem more intense- and more violent — than previous uprisings. And while the Tallahassee Persian community is providing much needed support, they say it’s not enough.
They want every American to be aware of what is going on in Iran — and to speak out.
“Don’t stop talking about Iran,” Khadem said. “Don’t stop talking about the brave people who are taking their lives in their hands. And just go to the street. Support them.”
Zamani said her father was a labor activist. He was imprisoned — and killed — by this regime.
She hopes the staggering death toll won’t be for naught.
“We want it to mean something because, like, we don’t want those lives that they took go for nothing, you know?” she said.
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