The demonstration came as American and Iranian officials are engaged in ceasefire discussions in Pakistan.

TAMPA, Fla. — Dozens of Iranian-Americans gathered Saturday at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa to protest ongoing U.S. ceasefire negotiations with the Iranian government, saying the talks legitimize a regime they describe as tyrannical and oppressive.

The demonstration came as American and Iranian officials are engaged in ceasefire discussions in Pakistan — talks that many of those assembled said they understand from a diplomacy perspective but don’t necessarily fully support.

“This regime has committed some of the most heinous crimes you’ve ever imagined,” one of the demonstration’s organizers, Amir Ardebily, said. “Mass rapes of the young girls 16/17 before they execute them. You wouldn’t believe, and some of the stuff are so detailed that if I told you, you would get sick to your stomach.”

Demonstrators said they have spent years watching the Iranian government oppress family members and friends still living in the country over the past 47 years, and they argued that sitting down with its leadership might send the wrong message to those seeking freedom.

The rally also drew supporters of President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran. Joe Mestas, a Tampa demonstrator and freelance photographer, said footage circulating online of Iranians inside the country expressing support for the president resonated with him.

“I’ve been seeing the newscasts of Iranians in Iran and other places praising President Trump, and to see the people here doing the same thing it gives you chill bumps,” he said.

Organizers and demonstrators alike acknowledged the emotional toll of protesting from abroad. Makan, who didn’t want to share his last name publicly due to safety reasons, has lived in Tampa for the last four years. He said his communications with family have been severely disrupted since Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrated roughly three weeks ago.

Iran has been under what demonstrators described as a communications blackout of more than 1,000 hours, making contact with loved ones inside the country extremely difficult.

“My entire family is over there. Nowruz, I got a call, but it was very sparky and it ended very quickly. It’s very tough,” Makan said.

Despite those hardships, he said demonstrators feel an obligation to keep speaking out.

“It’s tough. It’s really, really tough being outside the country. We’re trying to do the best we can here and give some voice to the Iranian people,” Makan said.

He added that the ceasefire talks themselves have had a chilling effect on morale inside Iran. 

“These ceasefire negotiations have really dampened the mood a little bit in Iran. People want to come out. They’re just unarmed,” he said.

Another demonstration in the Tampa Bay area is expected in the coming weeks, though details have not been finalized.