Iranians in North Texas are following the spiraling situation in Iran and whether the U.S. will strike.
Hundreds of American troops are being evacuated from the region in anticipation of a possible attack.
President Trump has repeatedly warned that the U.S. may take military action over the killing of protesters and even promised protesters on Tuesday on social media that help is coming.
But when asked Wednesday, the President said the Iranian government is easing up on its violent crackdown, sending mixed messages to Iranians near and far.
“Iran’s regime is the head of the snake, and the head of the snake must be crushed,” said Homeira Hesami, chairwoman of the non-profit organization Iranian American Community of North Texas.
Hesami moved to the U.S. from Iran in the mid-80’s after she says she was imprisoned there for expressing her beliefs, then released.
“I was outside prison, no job, no study, so you feel like you’re still in a bigger prison,” said Hesami.
From her North Texas home, she still advocates for the friends and relatives she left behind, loved ones she hasn’t been able to reach since Iran’s government cut off the country from the internet and international telephone calls on January 8.
“I’m really concerned. All of us are concerned because we don’t know what’s happening with the killing that we see,” said Hesami.
Human rights groups say Iran has killed at least 2,500 people over the last two weeks to crush the uprising and detained more than 18,000.
President Trump, who this week threatened to intervene if Iran doesn’t stop the deadly crackdown, said Wednesday that he’s in dialogue with the Iranian government.
“They said people were shooting at them with guns, and they were shooting back. And you know, it’s one of those things, but…they told me that there’ll be no executions, and so I hope that’s true,” said Pres. Trump.
Despite the President’s warning, Iran’s judiciary head said there would be fast trials and executions ahead for suspects detained in nationwide protests.
“It’s very heartbreaking to see the youth that are being slaughtered by the regime,” said Hesami. “They just want freedom and democracy.”
As leader of the IACNT, Hesami plans to continue to hold protests in Dallas to support the uprising in Iran and a generation fighting, she says, to change their fate.