I think this platform is a great space to express feelings, and, as my dear friend and excellent writer Shehanne Moore advises, I allow my thoughts to flow openly.

As you might have guessed, I am currently at a loss for words! My mind feels cluttered, and I struggle to focus as I normally would. The situation in Iran is deteriorating, and additionally, the responses from Western audiences, whether Iranian or not, lead to more confusion.

Many people call for peace, but they often lack a clear understanding of or haven’t deeply considered what has been happening in Iran over the years. Simply saying “stop the war” is insufficient, as it raises the question: which war do they mean? I am referring to two wars: one that is ongoing now, and another that the regime has been waging against the Iranian people for many decades.

Of course, I don’t judge everyone equally. I have honest friends deeply concerned about innocent lives, such as the over a hundred schoolgirls killed at their school at the conflict’s start. Wars inevitably cause innocent casualties. The scenes in Gaza following Israeli strikes are truly unforgettable! But I see no difference between dying from regime bullets or American and Israeli bombs. There may be a point where bombing foreigners could help end this suffering.

The Iranian people find themselves in a dilemma. Naturally, they do not want war, but at the same time, they oppose this murderous regime. As a result, they are trying to endure this terrifying situation. I remember vividly when I lived in Iran, those days of conflict with Iraq. In those days, or rather, those nights, Al, some friends, and I would gather together in one of our friends’ flats and play cards all night long, until the bombs started falling. Simply put, we did not want to die in our sleep!

It felt like a lottery; the question was, who would win next? One could either win or lose; there was no draw!

People in Iran are taking similar actions now; what else can they do? But those who live in freedom and peace, presenting themselves in an intellectual and civilised manner, say that war must be stopped! And I still ask: “Which war are they referring to!”?

Ultimately, I recognise that the situation centres on money and power, and I can only hope that the Iranian people are on the advantageous side. 💖🙏