As Damineh Oveisi sifts through samples and runs tests at work in Clearwater, her heart and mind are never far from her family in Iran.
“I’m very stressed right now,” Oveisi said. “It’s very complicated and I’m just hoping this regime will be gone soon.”
Her siblings are still in Iran. Amid outages, she never knows when she will hear from them, often waiting for a brief call just to confirm they are safe.
When the phone hangs up, the tears begin, and then it is back to work.
“Not knowing what’s going to happen the next day. It’s been very hard,” Oveisi said.
The last few weeks of American intervention in Iran have brought a mix of emotions for many Iranian Americans. Joy, grief and anxiety over the future.
Rallies have been held against the Iranian government, including in Tampa. The reported death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic since 1989, sparked celebrations and renewed hope for change.
Oveisi left Iran two decades ago in search of freedom.
Now, as the owner of ARCpoint Labs of Clearwater, she said she wants the same freedom for her family and for people across Iran.
10 Tampa Bay News first met Oveisi in January during a rally she organized shortly after reports that thousands of Iranians were killed while protesting the government.
Now, months later, Oveisi said she hopes continued pressure and intervention will lead to the regime’s downfall.
“They’re dangerous not only to Iranian people,” Oveisi said. “The whole world.”
Amir Ardebily of St. Pete, a martial arts instructor and podcast host, echoes the desire for regime change and supports U.S. involvement.
“For past almost half a century, this regime has killed its own people,” Ardebily said. “So I don’t want to hear anybody complain about President Trump or United States military or Israel trying to take action. Why? Because these people have been chanting death to Israel, death to America for the last 47 years.”
Ardebily left Iran decades ago and has been living in the Tampa Bay area since. Like many others, communication with loved ones in Iran has been difficult. Still, he said the events of recent weeks represent a moment many have waited years to see.
Ardebily said he was not nervous about the president’s threats prior to the ceasefire announcement and believes responsibility for the destruction lies with the Iranian regime.
“It’s not about politics for me. For me, I look at the reality. Reality is, it’s just a bunch of thugs that have been killing their own people,” Ardebily said of the Iranian government.
Ardebily said he hopes to one day visit Iran again. While he acknowledges the war may not end quickly, he remains hopeful about the outcome and believes outside intervention is necessary for change.
While the weeks ahead remain uncertain, Oveisi said one thing remains clear.
“We’re asking President Trump to not negotiate with this regime. This regime cannot continue,” Oveisi said.
Another rally is expected to take place Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.