A member of the Iranian community in Bournemouth has spoken out about her fears for people in Iran following renewed threats of military action by former US President Donald Trump.
Kathy Abbasirad, who has lived in the UK for 32 years, said she feels helpless as tensions escalate and US warships reportedly move closer to Iran.
“Our hands are fully tied. If we could, we would go to Iran, but it is not possible,” she said.
Ms Abbasirad explained that members of the local Iranian community have held protests in Bournemouth over the past two weeks, describing the mood as one of frustration and fear.
“I have friends and family in Iran, and they are really concerned,” she said. “No one is bringing guns or violence to these protests, people simply want their voices to be heard.”
She also spoke about alleged violence by Iranian authorities against protesters.
“The Islamic Republic in Iran have killed, I am not sure of the exact number, but they have killed so many people, and they are being allowed to get away with it,” she said.
According to US-based organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), there have been 6,126 confirmed deaths, including 5,777 protesters.
Earlier this week, the European Union announced it would add the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to its list of terrorist organisations.
Ms Abbasirad said Iranians in Bournemouth want to do more to raise awareness and are calling for greater government support. She added that members of the community have also travelled to London to protest.
“I have written to them, I have even written to Washington, because we have to try everything we can,” she said.
She also highlighted the impact of media restrictions in Iran.
“Even though it is improving now, it is still happening, and it means we don’t know if our friends and family are dead or alive,” she said.
“When we were in Bournemouth, we were having to explain to the community what has been happening in Iran. We really need to get the message out there more the more people are aware, the more can be done.”
Donald Trump has said Iran must do “two things” to avoid US military action as American forces continue to build up in the Middle East.
“Number one, no nuclear power. And number two, stop killing protesters,” Trump said, adding that there are “a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now.”
Iran has warned that any retaliation to a US attack would not be limited.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is working with international allies to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“The goal, or the aim, here is that Iran shouldn’t be able to develop nuclear weapons, and that is hugely important,” he told BBC News.
When asked whether the UK would support potential US strikes on Iran, Starmer said:
“I am saying we support the goal and we are talking to allies about how we get to that goal.”
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
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