‘We’re so hopeful’: Edmontonians rally following killing of Iranian leader

Edmontonians gathered at Churchill Square Sunday afternoon following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“We have an opportunity to become a real country again. We have the opportunity to enjoy some of the freedoms that people around the world enjoy,” said Payman Parseyan, former president of the Iranian Heritage Society. “We’ve been oppressed and suppressed for nearly half a century. This is the first time we’re seeing light.”

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran continued for a second day after the leader was killed in an airstrike Saturday.

While many are feeling relief, the military action in Iran has created uncertainty for many Iranian-Canadians who have family back home.

“It’s a very tough situation to watch, but we know ultimately, this is what the people of Iran want and have been asking for,” said Tahere Dejahang at Sunday’s rally, adding that it’s been a struggle to get in touch with her family because of the internet blackouts.

“We just wait and essentially stare at our phones and wait for them to call us,” she said. “We’re hoping as this progresses and it’s the end of this regime, all of this will be removed and there will be open communication to the Iranian people.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said the fight in Iran could go for more than four weeks.

“No country wants any other countries attacking their own,” said Moe Khadem. “But this time, it’s totally different … The cruel regime of Iran killed many people.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti and The Associated Press