{"id":118351,"date":"2026-01-14T21:55:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/118351\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T21:55:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:55:03","slug":"iranian-fsu-students-fearful-for-family-as-protests-and-killings-rage-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/118351\/","title":{"rendered":"Iranian FSU students fearful for family as protests and killings rage on"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – As the world watches a country in revolt<\/a>, three Florida State University students and researchers are left seven thousand miles away, wondering what will come next. <\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s regime is facing significant pushback, as thousands take to the streets to oppose a totalitarian government. <\/p>\n

Soon after the protests began, the government cut all internet access, leaving families outside of the country in the dark. <\/p>\n

For the fifth year, FSU PhD Student Nina Zamani hopes her family stays strong. <\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to tell them that I am so proud of you,\u201d she told WCTV Wednesday. \u201cWe feel absolutely guilty that we cannot be there to fight against this dictator regime beside you.\u201d<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

Mahdi Khadem is also a PhD student at Florida State. His whole family is in Iran and it\u2019s been a week since he last contacted them. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a complete blackout. Digital blackout in Iran right now,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re just very concerned about our friends and families.\u201d <\/p>\n

Sources told CBS News Tuesday that at least 12,000 protesters are feared dead, with that number possibly up to 20,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say Iranian people are among the most brave people in the whole world,\u201d Khadem said. \u201cWe have shown it previously, and we are showing it right now, this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Behrouz Esfahani is also left wondering if his family is okay. The postdoctoral researcher is hoping for the best. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if my brother is in the streets. If he is alive or not,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

All three said these protests seem more intense- and more violent \u2014 than previous uprisings. And while the Tallahassee Persian community is providing much needed support, they say it\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n

They want every American to be aware of what is going on in Iran \u2014 and to speak out. <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stop talking about Iran,\u201d Khadem said. \u201cDon\u2019t stop talking about the brave people who are taking their lives in their hands. And just go to the street. Support them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zamani said her father was a labor activist. He was imprisoned \u2014 and killed \u2014 by this regime.<\/p>\n

She hopes the staggering death toll won\u2019t be for naught. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want it to mean something because, like, we don\u2019t want those lives that they took go for nothing, you know?\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

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