Iranians in Northern California are speaking out as violent antigovernment protests grip Iran and the White House threatens intervention.
Human rights organizations report hundreds of protesters have been killed by state security forces. Many more have been arrested.
Hamid Azimi, with the advocacy group Iranian American Community of Northern California, said this was an uprising waiting to happen.
“We've been waiting for another spark that would basically explode the powder keg of all of the social discontent that has been building up in Iran,” Azimi said.
We are proud to have been part of this magnificent rally today in front of the White House, echoing the voices of our compatriots who have risen in Iran for a free, democratic republic—one that rejects all forms of dictatorship, whether the Shah or the mullahs.… pic.twitter.com/8Ejdb8XOEg
— Iranian-American Community of NorCal (@IACNorCal) January 10, 2026
The current moment, he said, stems from decades of political repression and a pattern of violent crackdowns by the current regime.
“It is time for the international community to recognize the right of the people of Iran to use the brute force against the government,” Azimi said.
“With the people of Iran running their own Republic, things will be better for everybody in the Middle East and, of course, for everybody in the Western Hemisphere."- Hamid Azimi, Iranian American Community of Northern California communications director
He said replacing the current theocratic government with a democratic, secular and non-nuclear system would transform the region and the country’s relations with the U.S.
“With the people of Iran running their own Republic, things will be better for everybody in the Middle East and, of course, for everybody in the Western Hemisphere,” Azimi said.
President Donald Trump has threatened military action against the regime should protesters continue to be killed. Iranian leaders have suggested they’re open to negotiations with the U.S., NPR reported.
