KATY, Texas – As tensions escalate between the United States and Iran, some Iranian-Americans in Houston say they support efforts to remove Iran’s current regime but are concerned about how that message is being delivered.
President Donald Trump drew attention after posting on social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not meet his demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and agreeing to what he described as total regime change.
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For Nooshin M., an Iranian-American in Houston, the message was alarming, but she believes it may not reflect the president’s true intent.
“Words carry power, and I don’t think President Trump means that,” she said. “He’s been a man of his word, but I don’t think he means that when he says that.”
Nooshin, whose last name we are not identifying due to safety concerns for her family in Iran, says she remains in limited contact with relatives because of a digital blackout in the country.
“Sometimes they get internet for just a few seconds, just enough to send a quick text that they’re okay,” she said. “Weeks go by and you don’t even know if they’re okay or what condition they’re in.”
Despite those fears, she says many Iranians, both in the U.S. and inside Iran, believe this moment represents a rare opportunity for change.
“This regime has never been this close to collapsing,” she said. “Their days are numbered by hours, actually.”
She says many do not support a ceasefire, arguing that past attempts at negotiation have failed.
“We cannot negotiate with this regime. We tried that before, it never works,” Nooshin said.
Instead, she says people she’s spoken with in Iran want the current leadership fully removed not partially reformed.
“We want him to fully finish the regime. Do not leave any fragment of this regime behind,” she said. “Their only fear is a ceasefire. Because if that happens, it could be even worse than before.”
Still, she emphasized that any military action should avoid harming civilians or critical infrastructure, something she worries could be used as propaganda by the Iranian government.
“We want him to be mindful of our infrastructure, of power plants, of civilians,” she said. “That’s what the regime will use against him.”
Noohsin says the focus, in her view, should be on targeting the leadership of Iran’s ruling system not the general population.
“We hope they continue targeting the heads of the regime but not civilians,” she said.
As uncertainty continues, she says many Iranians remain hopeful that change is within reach.
“We’ve never been this close,” Nooshin said. “It won’t be in vain if the regime is fully dismantled and gone.”