‘The price we know we have to pay for freedom’: Michigan Iranian community reacts to Trump’s message

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Members of the Iranian community in Mid-Michigan are grappling with President Donald Trump’s ultimatum demanding Iran open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had threatened to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran if the country did not agree to a ceasefire deal by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Less than two hours before that deadline, Trump said he’s pulling back on those threats to widen attacks, subject to Iran agreeing to a two week ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Associated Press.

Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday morning: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

The local Iranian community is split on what they call a complex issue, with some members expressing growing concerns as the dialogue intensifies, while others say there is a price of freedom.

• Trump warns a ‘whole civilization’ could die but adds Iran still has time to capitulate

Since the start of the war in Iran, Mitra Aliabouzar, like many Iranian people living in the U.S., wakes up every morning to check her phone for updates about family back home.

“To see this post, it was quite numbing and it was deeply unsettling to hear that,” said Aliabouzar, an Iranian activist.

Aliabouzar told News 10 messages like Trump’s post will not appeal to the country’s regime.

“Tweets like that, or posts like that, they are going to hurt the Iranian people, not the Islamic Regime. They thrive on isolation, destruction, and war,” she said.

Erfan Omid, who has protested against the regime and has been imprisoned for it, said he knows the dangers of war but said diplomacy is not an option for the United States and Iran.

“We know that war is not good, we know that war brings destruction we all know that. But this is the price we know we have to pay for freedom,” Omid said.

He said if the United States were to stop its course, it would leave the people of Iran vulnerable to a brutal regime.

“The worse scenario might be living — Iranian people left alone with this regime without any power plants, without any infrastructure,” Omid said.

Omid said if Iran can escape the grasp of the regime and obtain freedom, the people will be able to rebuild their country and be an ally to the United States.

Both activists said that once the conflict is over, and if the United States prevails, it should help the country rebuild the nation and build toward democracy.

An Iranian envoy said the country would take immediate and proportionate action if the president follows through on his threats. Iranian officials have urged young people to form human chains around power plants and other potential targets.

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