Calgary’s Iranian diaspora divided following military action

Calgary's Iranian diaspora divided following airstrikes in Iran. Some celebrate a potential regime change while others decry slaying of Ali Khamenei.

Members of Calgary’s Iranian diaspora took to the streets over the weekend, marking split reactions over escalating military action in the Middle East.

About 150 people gathered at Calgary City Hall Sunday morning to decry ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“I don’t think any country has the right to invade another country and take their leaders,” protest organizer Riyaz Khwaja told CTV News. “It destabilizes the political, peaceful manner everywhere … It causes the habit of destruction and more killings.”

Khwaja said the conflict risks broader devastation and that “peace should prevail” in the region instead.

One hour later, the civic plaza turned into a celebration as thousands of people filled the same space. Many of them danced, sang and waved pre-revolution Iranian flags bearing the lion and sun, along with Canadian, American and Israeli flags.

Armin Zarringhalam, who attended the later protest, said many in the Iranian diaspora, saw the death of Khamenei’s death as a turning point.

“This news of Khamenei’s death was the best news any Iranian could have received,” he said. “The strike was kind of a new hope for everyone.”

While Zarringhalam understands the possible negative optics about welcoming a foreign military strike, he said “as messed up as it sounds…it’s (Iran’s) only hope.”

“The Israeli intelligence as well as the American military is the perfect combination right now to end this regime.”

Many at the rally said they believe Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah, could lead a transitional government.

“Every Iranian has joined hand to hand in calling for Prince Reza Pahlavi’s name to create a democratic, secular Iran,” Zarringhalam said.

Experts, meanwhile, caution that a change in regime is rarely straightforward. Rob Huebert, a professor of military strategic studies at the University of Calgary, said there may be reason for some to feel hopeful, but added history suggests caution.

“I think that there is reason to celebrate, that there is reason to hope that this will crumble the regime. Unfortunately, (Iran’s) regimes are incredibly resilient,” Hubert said.

He added that removing a leader does not necessarily mean the system collapses.

“It’s hard to find examples where even when you lose your top leadership, is that the regime itself implodes or collapses,” Huebert said.

“Usually what happens is that it gets replaced by people that are even more ruthless.”

Escalating conflict draws responses from Ottawa

Iran’s diaspora isn’t the only group that is split in its reaction to increasing conflict in the region. Prime Minister Mark Carney has voiced supports for the strikes, while Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has made it clear that Canada was not involved in the military action and prefers a “diplomatic solution.”

“As soon as possible, we would like parties to get to the table,” she said.

Anand says Canada has long called on Iran to halt its nuclear program, noting Canada and Iran have not had diplomatic relations for the past 15 years — largely as a result of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and human rights violations.