Iranians are trapped between bombs and repression but deserve a path to peace

After issuing warnings and allowing time for negotiation, President Donald Trump, alongside Israel, launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28. What was expected to be a swift victory has stretched into a prolonged and uncertain war, now dragging beyond a month with no clear end in sight.

In retaliation, Iran has launched extensive missile and drone attacks against six Gulf states — Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain — rapidly expanding the scope of the war.

This escalation appears to have caught both the U.S. administration and regional leaders in the Middle East off guard. Repeated strikes damaged critical infrastructure severely. The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has sent shock waves through the global economy.

Here at home in the U.S., the effects are mounting. The financial burden is soaring, fuel and grocery prices are increasing, markets remain volatile, divisions in Congress are deepening, NATO allies have declined involvement, and yet the war continues.

Trump has shifted on the expected outcomes of the war

Shohreh Mirfendereski is a retired teacher in DeKalb County. (Courtesy)

On April 1, President Trump addressed the nation, attempting to justify “Operation Epic Fury,” framing it as necessary for America and security. Yet his speech lacked a clear exit strategy.

While he has declared victory on multiple occasions and has claimed that military objectives have been met, a fundamental question arises: Why does the war persist?

In recent days, the conflict has escalated significantly.

President Trump’s ultimatum targeting civilian infrastructure drove anxiety among Iranians to extreme levels.

Fortunately, in the last hours, a two-week ceasefire has been announced.

In addition, there has been a noticeable shift in messaging regarding President Trump’s desired outcomes for the war.

Initial rhetoric emphasized giving the Iranian people a chance to change their government. Later, the focus moved to negotiating with so-called “reasonable” figures within the current regime.

This raises a critical concern; can a government accused by rights groups of executing more than 1,000 people in 2025 — and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths during protest crackdowns — be considered a credible negotiating partner?

On April 1, President Trump addressed the nation, attempting to justify “Operation Epic Fury,” framing it as necessary for America and security. Yet his speech lacked a clear exit strategy.

While he has declared victory on multiple occasions and has claimed that military objectives have been met, a fundamental question arises: Why does the war persist?

In recent days, the conflict has escalated significantly.

President Trump’s ultimatum targeting civilian infrastructure drove anxiety among Iranians to extreme levels.

Fortunately, in the last hours, a two-week ceasefire has been announced.

In addition, there has been a noticeable shift in messaging regarding President Trump’s desired outcomes for the war.

Initial rhetoric emphasized giving the Iranian people a chance to change their government. Later, the focus moved to negotiating with so-called “reasonable” figures within the current regime.

This raises a critical concern; can a government accused by rights groups of executing more than 1,000 people in 2025 — and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths during protest crackdowns — be considered a credible negotiating partner?

And finally, in his April 1 speech, President Trump, once again, changed his mind, shifting from “MAGA” to bomb Iran back to the “Stone Ages.”

Iran’s government-in-exile is ready to lead

The people of Iran are not at war with the world. They are themselves victims, caught between internal repression and external military pressure. They are paying the price for both, all while enduring an internet blackout that silences their voices. A government that blocks its citizens from the world while continuing to execute them is not a credible negotiating partner. Its actions suggest not strength but fear — fear of its own people.

Despite decades of repression, Iranians have demonstrated immense bravery and resilience. They repeatedly took to the streets in protest. Those uprisings have grown larger, more organized and more determined each time, even in the face of internet shutdowns and violent crackdowns resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

The idea that external military action would spark widespread protests during active bombardment has proved unrealistic. People do not rise up in the middle of airstrikes, as their survival takes precedence. History has shown that bombing does not produce democracy. The experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan stand as stark reminders that an externally imposed regime does not bring stability or freedom. Real, lasting change must come from within. Only the people of a nation truly understand their needs, their aspirations and the path forward.

There is already an organized opposition group that has declared The Provisional Government ready to help guide a transitional period for six months and transfer the sovereignty to the Iranian people. The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a coalition of hundreds of groups and individuals with 45 years of experience, not only has an established government-in-exile, identifiable leadership and a road map for the country’s future, but also resistance networks inside Iran carrying out defiance acts against the regime.

As a matter of fact, between March 30 and April, nine members of the Resistance Cells have been executed. That alone shows how deeply this alternative is rooted inside Iran.

Any lasting and viable solution for the future of Iran must center on the Iranian people. The future of Iran cannot be dictated by a foreign government or imposed through airstrikes; it must be shaped by those who live it every day.