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.
At the Motahari family’s home in Katy on Saturday, the news spread quickly through social media and Iranian news accounts on Instagram: reports of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s killing following U.S. and Israeli military action against the regime. The reaction inside the house was immediate — tears, cheers, and emotional embraces.
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“For the past 47 years, we’ve been praying for this moment,” said Dr. Nooshin Motahari, an Iranian American who has lived in Houston for 25 years. “It wasn’t 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.”
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.
“We left Iran, but Iran didn’t leave us,” she said.
Her sister, Niosha Motahari, shared the same sense of relief and resolve. She rejects the idea that what’s unfolding is simply a war.
“Iranian people, we don’t call it war,” she said. “We call it, this is a rescue operation to free us from this oppressive regime.”
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.
“This regime, they hate America,” Niosha Motahari said, adding that she hopes the next generation will know a different reality. “We are so happy that our next generation and our kids don’t have to deal with the same terrorism.”
For weeks, the Motaharis and other members of Houston’s 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.
“We are trying to be the voice of our compatriots inside Iran,” Dr. Motahari said. “Thousands have been killed. So here, we’re just reflecting their voice.”
As President Donald Trump now tells NBC News a large number of Iran’s leaders are dead, the Motahari family says they’re cautiously celebrating in Texas — even popping champagne — while relatives overseas seek safety and wait to see what happens next.
“We want to live in peace and unity with everyone,” Niosha said.
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.
They plan to return to the Galleria area Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. for another gathering — this time, they hope, more of a celebration than a protest.