The Shattered Homeland: Iranians in Australia's Emotional Journey
As the situation in Iran intensifies with strikes from the US and Israel, the Iranian community in Australia finds itself grappling with a complex mix of emotions. While some feel a sense of relief at the demise of the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, there is also deep anxiety for loved ones caught in the crossfire of an escalating war.
"It's natural to feel a sense of release when a dictator falls," shares AK, an Iranian architect now based in Australia. "It's not about celebrating violence; it's about the end of decades of grief and oppression."
AK, who requested anonymity for security reasons, wakes up each morning hoping for news of restored internet access in Iran, home to 92 million people. Instead, she is greeted by images of destruction—bombed streets and damaged landmarks from her childhood.
Among these iconic sites is the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO-listed gem and former residence of the Qajar dynasty, reportedly damaged in the strikes. "These places are more than just landmarks; they symbolize our identity, history, and a sense of shared belonging," AK explains.
UNESCO confirmed on Monday that the palace suffered damage from debris and shockwaves following an airstrike on Arag Square.
AK recalls speaking out during Donald Trump's first presidency in 2020 when he threatened to target Iran's cultural heritage sites. "International law protects these sites because once they're gone, the memories they hold are lost forever," she emphasizes.
But here's where it gets controversial... For many in the diaspora, the most distressing aspect of the conflict is not what they see but the silence that comes with the communications blackout.
Shahrzad Orang, an artist and former prisoner in Tehran for participating in the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, managed a brief call with her family before authorities shut down internet access. They described shattered windows and the shock of nearby explosions.
"If Iranians sometimes say they want war, it's because of the 47 years of oppression and captivity imposed by the Islamic Republic," Ms. Orang explains. "People have tried every path—protests, reform, dialogue—but nothing has worked."
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 787 people have lost their lives across Iran during these attacks. One of the deadliest incidents was the bombing of a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, where authorities reported over 160 deaths.
"This isn't the ending we imagined," AK says. "Iranians have been fighting for their freedom, and many of us hoped it would be us writing this story."
Living in 'Two Worlds':
For many in the diaspora, the conflict creates a jarring dichotomy—carrying on with work while their emotions remain rooted in Iran.
"The moment I close my eyes, nightmares take over. I wake up shivering, and then in the morning, I have to compose myself and go to work as if nothing is happening," AK shares. "This is the reality for many of us: functioning professionally while emotionally living in a war zone."
This week, AK received a brief call from her parents, confirming their survival. "The silence is unbearable," she says. "Not knowing if your family is safe, hearing nothing, imagining the worst—it feels like psychological torture."
Bahador Yazdanshenas, who works in construction in Australia, hasn't returned to Iran since emigrating 14 years ago. He normally video calls his family nightly but has been unable to reach them directly during the current unrest.
"Every single person I've managed to contact has expressed happiness about the attacks by the US and Israel," Mr. Yazdanshenas says. "We understand that this is not an attack on Iran's territorial integrity or its people."
Fear on the Streets:
Independent verification of events remains challenging due to media restrictions and internet shutdowns. Human rights groups express concern about detainees in Evin Prison, long associated with political incarceration.
Ms. Orang speaks from personal experience. During the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, she was detained and assaulted in custody. "I was struck, my hand was injured, and I experienced harassment and inappropriate physical contact by officers, which was extremely humiliating," she recalls.
"Many Iranians grow up fearing the police rather than trusting them because the security forces in Iran operate under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' system," she adds.
She now fears the expanded presence of Basij militia and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in urban areas. "Many cities are effectively under martial law. Different parts of Iran are being threatened by armed forces. They've set up military-style tents, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation," Ms. Orang says.
"Despite this, some people are still shouting protest slogans from their windows at night," she adds.
AK shares this concern. "A power vacuum without safeguards can be even more dangerous than repression," she warns.
Grief and Moral Complexity:
The death of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reignited debates over Iran's political future. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last Shah, based in the US, has expressed readiness to guide a transition.
Mr. Pahlavi's Iran Prosperity Project outlines a roadmap for reconstruction after the Islamic Republic's fall, including a referendum within the first six months of a transitional period.
Mr. Yazdanshenas welcomes the plan. "He has explained that after the Islamic Republic falls and until free elections are held, they will assist the people during the transitional period to move beyond this regime," he says.
However, others are more cautious. "What concerns me is how quickly public discourse has shifted," AK says. "Recently, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement represented one of the region's most progressive, feminist-led uprisings. To move from that to calls for monarchy feels like a step backward."
AK believes democracy is the best option for Iran's future. "It should be shaped through democratic participation and the voices of people inside the country, not imposed leadership or nostalgia," she asserts.
"War is brutal, and I don't believe bombs have ever sustainably delivered peace or democracy," she adds.
For now, the diaspora waits—for restored connections, political clarity, and proof of life. "I worry about everyone I know in Iran. I worry about my country and the possibility of destruction," Ms. Orang says.
"But my deepest hope is that one day, the Islamic Republic will come to an end."
And this is the part most people miss... The emotional journey of Iranians in Australia is a reminder that war is not just about politics and power; it's about the human stories and the complex web of emotions that come with it.
