Iran Exiles Express Fear as Protest Death Toll Mounts

TaiwanPlus News

Iranian exiles are worried about loved ones back home amid a crackdown on anti-government protests and a communications blackout. Some estimates put the death toll at around 2,000 people. The question now is whether US President Donald Trump will intervene as he has threatened to do.

Transcript

00:00Iran-born chef Nassim Ali Khani is busy at her Brooklyn cafe, where she serves up specialties

00:07from her homeland. But she's anxious.

00:13Deadly protests against the government have rocked Iran over two weeks. And with the internet

00:17and phone lines shut down, there's no way to check on relatives there.

00:22I have been glued to social media, news from outside of Iran, all kinds of sources.

00:29But I haven't been able to reach any of my family members or friends, both in capital.

00:37I'm from Isfahan, so no, to this day, to this moment, I have no news.

00:42Iranians like her are spread across the globe, looking for opportunity and freedom from the country's theocratic government.

00:49And when it comes to how many are dead or hurt in the latest crackdown, they're just as in the dark as the rest of the world.

00:56In Barcelona, Iranian exiles Said and Guiti try to call family, with no success.

01:04For five days I've been trying to talk to my sister. I don't know anything about her situation.

01:10These two have been in Spain for most of their lives.

01:13Said says he hopes to go home one day to a new Iran.

01:17But for now, the violence and the information blackout go on.

01:23Some are trying to piece together what's happened in Iran.

01:27Human rights groups with networks in the country are reaching different estimates.

01:31As of Wednesday, somewhere around 2,000 deaths is a common conclusion.

01:36Though some estimates are much higher.

01:38We have verified over 1,800, 1,850 to be exact, protesters killed.

01:46We have 779 additional cases under review.

01:52One of the few who might know what's next is U.S. President Donald Trump.

01:57On social media, he said he's canceled meetings with Iranian officials and told protesters that help is on the way.

02:04But when speaking to journalists, he hasn't said what that might look like.

02:09U.S. airstrikes, when it comes to that, will a team will have the result of protecting the protesters?

02:15Well, you never know, do you?

02:18So far, my track record's been excellent, but you never know.

02:21Do you think it's going to be something kinetic like that or more like cyber?

02:24Well, I can't tell you that. I don't know exactly what it would be.

02:27We have to make a decision.

02:28But obviously, I can't be telling you.

02:31For now, those watching Iran are left to speculate.

02:34And those who've left it behind are hoping their loved ones are spared from the bloodshed.

02:39Alex Chen and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.

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