How anti-war Iranians abroad are making their voices heard
Parizad Nobakht
BBC Persian
As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, many Iranians living abroad are desperate to protest a war that has caught them off guard—leaving them gripped by the same anxiety as those back home. But many say they have no independent platform to express their anti-war stance.
On social media and in private conversations, Iranians in the diaspora — those who support neither the Islamic Republic, nor opposition groups such as the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), the monarchists, or any other organised faction — say their independent voices are being lost. Iran’s opposition is deeply fragmented, with no single umbrella group that represents all dissident voices. Many simply don’t feel represented by any of the prominent or active groups, even if they strongly oppose the regime. Protests are often dominated by better-organised political movements with banners, sound systems, and financial backing, leaving little space for those who arrive empty-handed and heavy-hearted, hoping simply to say “no to war”.
In recent days, Iranians in London have been anxiously scouring social media for calls to protest that are free from political affiliations—hoping their message won’t be drowned out by partisan slogans.
Now, a group among them is trying to organise a truly independent gathering. One that simply says: “No to war.”