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Iranians living in the USA

What's it like as an Iranian American watching events in the Middle East from afar?

Following the recent bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites by the United States, we talk to Iranians living in the US about their thoughts as they watch events in the Middle East from afar.

They describe feeling conflicted about the attacks carried out by their adopted homeland. They worry about friends and relatives who could be in danger back in Iran. But – perhaps unsurprisingly for an exiled community – they have strong views on the Iranian regime.

Shaheen grew up in the US but feels very connected to his Iranian heritage. He says, “Even though none of us like war, none of us want this war, at the very same time, it’s almost like there’s this weird piece of hope that maybe this will be the end of the Islamic Republic. And I think that’s a very complicated feeling to have.â€

Fellow American-Iranian Mana thinks about the future of her people, “I feel not just guilt as an Iranian, but shame as an American, because I'm afraid that we just made their standard of living and what they're going to have after this ceasefire so much worse.â€

Presenter: Luke Jones
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ producers: Gabriela Boccaccio and Laura Cress.
Boffin Media producer: Anne McNaught

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo: Laila Massoudnia at a cultural event for creatives in LA. Credit: Laila Massoudnia)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Jun 2025 11:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 27 Jun 2025 19:06GMT
  • Sat 28 Jun 2025 08:06GMT
  • Sat 28 Jun 2025 15:06GMT
  • Sat 28 Jun 2025 18:06GMT
  • Sat 28 Jun 2025 23:06GMT
  • Sun 29 Jun 2025 11:06GMT