Some Iranian Americans in the Houston area are celebrating reports of U.S. military action in Iran, saying it could mark the first real opportunity in decades to one day return to their home country.<\/p>\n
At the Motahari family\u2019s home in Katy on Saturday, the news spread quickly through social media and Iranian news accounts on Instagram: reports of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei\u2019s killing following U.S. and Israeli military action against the regime. The reaction inside the house was immediate \u2014 tears, cheers, and emotional embraces.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the past 47 years, we\u2019ve been praying for this moment,\u201d said Dr. Nooshin Motahari, an Iranian American who has lived in Houston for 25 years. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t in vain. And this is finally the moment of liberating a nation and Iranians can at last be free. And the world can be free from this hate, from this terror.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motahari left Iran a quarter-century ago, vowing not to return until the Islamic regime was gone. On Saturday, she thumbed through old photos, reflecting on the life she left behind and the people she hopes to see again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe left Iran, but Iran didn\u2019t leave us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her sister, Niosha Motahari, shared the same sense of relief and resolve. She rejects the idea that what\u2019s unfolding is simply a war.<\/p>\n
\u201cIranian people, we don\u2019t call it war,\u201d she said. \u201cWe call it, this is a rescue operation to free us from this oppressive regime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both sisters believe this moment could open the door to finally showing their children the country they still consider home, without the fear and restrictions they grew up under.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis regime, they hate America,\u201d Niosha Motahari said, adding that she hopes the next generation will know a different reality. \u201cWe are so happy that our next generation and our kids don\u2019t have to deal with the same terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n
For weeks, the Motaharis and other members of Houston\u2019s Iranian community have been a regular presence at protests near the Galleria, calling for a free Iran and drawing attention to the violence and unrest inside the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying to be the voice of our compatriots inside Iran,\u201d Dr. Motahari said. \u201cThousands have been killed. So here, we\u2019re just reflecting their voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
As President Donald Trump now tells NBC News a large number of Iran\u2019s leaders are dead, the Motahari family says they\u2019re cautiously celebrating in Texas \u2014 even popping champagne \u2014 while relatives overseas seek safety and wait to see what happens next.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to live in peace and unity with everyone,\u201d Niosha said.<\/p>\n
The family believes U.S. military involvement was critical to what they see as a turning point and say they are hoping for bipartisan support from Americans as events unfold.<\/p>\n
They plan to return to the Galleria area Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. for another gathering \u2014 this time, they hope, more of a celebration than a protest.<\/p>\n
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