Iranian-Canadian communities in Vancouver and Toronto say a short lived ceasefire has brought some relief, but deep concern stays for family members in Iran following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after Trump’s latest warnings raised alarms internationally.
Human rights advocate Soushiant Zanganehpour said the rhetoric marked a pointy escalation.
“He has not handled an adversary this unmanageable … to threaten the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure … after which to ratchet up those threats to the extent of the eradication of the civilization — that is genocidal,” he said.
On social media, Trump warned that “a complete civilization will die” unless Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz, setting a Tuesday evening deadline.
Across Iran, people formed human chains around power plants, while tons of gathered on bridges holding flags.
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In Vancouver, members of the region’s large Iranian community reacted with a mixture of skepticism and fear.
One Iranian resident told Global News the threats were unlikely to be carried out, describing Iran as an enormous country with a protracted history that can not be destroyed.
One other Iranian resident said people in Iran have long endured a brutal regime, but warned the situation could worsen and not using a clear plan.
In Toronto, Iranian-Canadians said the developments have made an already emotional situation more stressful.
Rogina Aselfallah said she had been on edge while following the newest developments, frightened about her members of the family in her home country.
She said the last-minute decision to suspend attacks about 90 minutes before a deadline brought temporary relief, but in addition uncertainty.
“I’m very completely happy that power and water aren’t going to exit for 2 weeks, but then (what) after the 2 weeks? That’s scary too,” she said.
Babak Zamani said it’s difficult to know what his family is experiencing. “Every night they’re scared to simply sleep. We hope to finish the war as soon as possible,” he told Global. He described the situation as painful and conflicted, with people caught between calls for political change and fears about further destruction.
Sam Fayaz, who owns an Iranian food market in Toronto, said many locally wish to see change in Iran’s government, but were alarmed by Trump’s comments.
“(We) were very concerned, extremely saddened by his comments (about) destroying your entire civilization. That’s really not what we would like,” he said.
Fayaz added many Iranian-Canadians feel a responsibility to talk out.
“People haven’t any voice (there) and it’s our job here to be their voice,” he said.
Many say they are actually hoping the ceasefire will give each side time to achieve a longer-term resolution. Zanganehpour said the uncertainty has left people looking for answers.
“The proven fact that we don’t have answers, we’re all on the sidelines attempting to make sense of unprecedented things. I hope it does bring us just a little bit together, because we’re all we now have,” he said.
