A 34-year-old Iranian Refugee Faces Anxiety Amidst Escalating Conflict
Iranians living in Hamm expressing anxiety and concern for their family members in Iran due to recent political unrest and tensions.
Mohamad Hagi Mehrabi, a 34-year-old refugee living in Hamm, shares his concerns about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. "I'm still in shock," he admits. With familial ties still in Tehran, the war's uncertain future leaves him and his wife in constant worry. Two of his relatives had to flee to the western part of the country, escaping the war's brutality. "We're scared every second of them getting hurt or killed," he expresses.
Fleeing Becomes an Impossibility for Many Iranians
The war has caused a series of challenges for the Iranian populace. Gasoline shortages, food scarcity, and poor internet connectivity make it difficult for citizens like Mehrabi to reach their families within Iran. "We've asked them to just send us a short message to assure us they're safe," he says. They now eagerly wait for any communication from their loved ones. Mehrabi himself escaped Iran in 2017, after facing persecution due to his advocacy for human rights. Since settling in Hamm in 2019, he has not managed to see his family. "Thinking about them potentially being bombarded during the war leaves me speechless," he admits.
Iranians Worry About Their Country's Future
Speaking to his Iranian friends in the wake of the conflict, Mehrabi finds that they share the same fears. "We all fear that our nation could face a similar fate like Syria, Afghanistan, or Yemen," he mentions. On the other hand, every Iranian hopes for the demise of the regime. "In 2025 alone, the regime arrested and executed over 525 people," Mehrabi emphasizes. Human rights abuses remain rampant in Iran.
Iranians: Not Extremists, but Caught in the Crossfire
The regime has held power in Iran for over 40 years, and the conflict with Israel has persisted throughout this period. The regime's alleged anti-Semitism and threats against Israel do not represent the Iranian people, says Mehrabi. "That's not us, that's not the population of Iran. The regime does not speak for the people," he reiterates. The Iranian people are peaceful and embrace all cultures, he claims. "This is not a war of the Iranian population," Mehrabi asserts, "It's a war waged by the abominable regime, and the Iranian people are victims of it."
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Enrichment Insights:
- Amnesty International reports that Israeli attacks in Iran have resulted in at least 224 civilian casualties, including many women and children, while Iranian attacks on Israeli urban areas have killed at least 24 civilians with hundreds more injured[1].
- The conflict has caused serious disruptions to critical infrastructure in Iran, including energy facilities and urban services, leading to blackouts, fuel shortages, and societal collapse for the Iranian populace[2].
- Iranian refugees in countries such as Germany may face psychological distress due to fears for their families, concerns over integration, and the impact of geopolitical tension on their community support[2].
Mohamad Hagi Mehrabi, a refugee in Hamm, voices his concerns about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, discussing its potential impact on political news, general news, and war-and-conflicts. The uncertainty surrounding the war's future leaves him and his wife anxious, as they have relatives in Tehran. (From "A 34-year-old Iranian Refugee Faces Anxiety Amidst Escalating Conflict")
Despite the ongoing conflict, Mohamad Hagi Mehrabi and his friends share a common fear—that Iran could face a similar fate to countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, or Yemen. They hope for the demise of the regime, as human rights abuses remain prevalent in Iran. (From "Iranians Worry About Their Country's Future")
