“Finish the cancerous growth”: Iranian citizens in an exclusive interview

In the shadow of the stalled contacts and the fear that the ceasefire will collapse, three Iranian citizens from Tehran and Mashhad told N12 today (Sunday) in an exclusive interview that for them, the greatest danger is not the resumption of fighting, but rather the possibility that it will be stopped in the middle. They warned against an agreement that would keep the current regime and expressed hope that this time the campaign might end differently.

Shiva, a resident of Tehran, described a reality of continuous fear and a heavy presence of the security forces on the streets. For her, the really big threat is actually not a return to fighting. “I look forward to the end of the ceasefire and the continuation of military action against the Islamic Republic,” she said.

what are you afraid of

“What scares me and makes me feel helpless and despair is not the start of the war, but the continuation of the ceasefire and the formation of an agreement. My only fear about this war is that it will not lead to the destruction and complete fall of the Islamic Republic.”

Is there anything that gives you hope?

“Right now my only hope is the end of the ceasefire.”

According to Shiva, the presence of the security forces has already become an integral part of the landscape in Tehran, with an unusual deployment of forces and a constant feeling of surveillance in the streets. “The city is full of troops, because the police stations were evacuated, and the troops were stationed inside city buses. Everywhere there are security forces in civilian clothes,” said Shiva.

“At night, mercenaries of the regime also come with the flags of the Islamic Republic and slogans like ‘Ya Zahra’ and ‘Hezbollah’. They roam the streets, creating traffic jams and noise and harassing the residents,” she continued.

Shiva wanted to convey a message to Israel and the US. “I hope that President Trump also understands the dimensions of the matter,” she said. “I also ask the Israeli government not to forget that the survival of the Islamic Republic is as dangerous to the citizens of Iran as it is to the citizens of Israel.”

Even in the second largest city in Iran, the distress is visible. Alireza Mashhad described an economic collapse and a heavy presence of the security forces. He also clarified that the main concern for him is the possibility that the fighting will end again without a decision.

“One of the best things that can happen right now is the resumption of fighting and the beginning of eliminating the remnants of the leadership of the Islamic Republic,” he emphasized. “The living and economic situation has never been as difficult and chaotic as it is today. But for us, the fear of the continued existence of the Islamic Republic is greater than the fear of war.”

Even when he talked about the heavy price that has already been paid, Alireza clarified that his real concern lies in the “day after”. “My biggest concern about resuming the war is that they won’t finish the job against the Islamic Republic,” he said. “After all the destruction and damage caused – this could be the worst scenario for us.”

What is the atmosphere like in the streets these days?

“The security presence in the public space and on the streets is still very noticeable, checkpoints and Afghans and Iraqis who have taken control and undermined the public space. At night they come to the streets with large loudspeakers, shouting slogans and taking away our peace.”

Alireza also wanted to convey a message to Israel and the US. “Know that the Iranian people will stand by your side,” he said. “End this cancer once and for all. If they stay, in the future they will again threaten security in the region and the world.”

Mona, a resident of Tehran, described a reality of isolation, oppression and violence. She pointed an accusing finger at the international community which she says chooses not to see the painful reality. “If the Islamic Republic, which is currently slaughtering its own people and there is no one to stop it, remains like a wounded snake – know for sure that it will not stop in Iran. It will also reach Europe, America and Israel,” she said.

“I only hope that the war will resume soon, and that the result will be one – the fall of the Islamic Republic,” wished Mona. “We are in a state of collective trauma, and we don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”

What does daily life look like in the current reality?

“Every day all the prices go up and we are no longer able to cope. We feel like mere spectators, watching our suffering and misery.”

“I don’t understand why the world is silent,” she wondered in frustration. “Why doesn’t the world hear the voice of the Iranian people, doesn’t see what’s happening here. They don’t see that we’ve been without internet for more than 60 days, that our lives have stopped. They don’t see how many executions there are here – from 40-year-olds to 70- and 90-year-old adults. Everyone is standing in line for execution.”

Mona left no room for doubt as to what she hopes will happen: “The result of this war must be only one – the end of the Islamic Republic. Otherwise there is no good future for Iran, and for no one in the world.”