Iranian-Canadian communities in Vancouver and Toronto say a temporary ceasefire has brought some relief, but deep concern remains for loved ones in Iran following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Following international concern sparked by Trump’s most recent warnings, Iran agreed to a ceasefire lasting two weeks. Human rights advocate Soushiant Zanganehpour said the rhetoric marked a sharp escalation.“ He has not dealt with an adversary this unmanageable … to threaten the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure … and then to ratchet up those threats to the level of the eradication of the civilization — this is genocidal,” he said.
On social media, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die” unless Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz, setting a Tuesday evening deadline.
Across Iran, people formed human chains around power plants, while hundreds gathered on bridges holding flags.In Vancouver, members of the region’s large Iranian community reacted with a mix of skepticism and fear.
One Iranian resident told Media the threats were unlikely to be carried out, describing Iran as a vast country with a long history that cannot be destroyed.
A different resident of Iran stated that the Iranian people have been subjected to a brutal regime for a long time, but he also warned that the situation could worsen without a clear plan. In Toronto, Iranian-Canadians said the developments have made an already emotional situation more stressful.Rogina Aselfallah said she had been on edge while following the latest developments, worried about her family members in her home country.
She said the last-minute decision to suspend attacks about 90 minutes before a deadline brought temporary relief, but also uncertainty.
“I’m very happy that water and power won’t be out for two weeks, but what happens after that? That’s also scary,” she said.
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