A ceasefire will not calm the fears of Iranians in Australia as their homeland’s authoritarian regime looms over their loved ones.
After almost two weeks of conflict, a temporary pause in hostilities between Iran and Israel was announced by US President Donald Trump and immediately welcomed by Australia’s leaders.
But the Australian-Iranian community’s feelings are more complicated.
They live in fear of US or Israeli bombs killing their friends and family while also worrying about the threat Iran’s autocratic Islamic government poses for their loved ones.
No one person or voice can speak for an entire group, Australian Iranian Community Alliance vice-president Suren Edgar said, however he believed most Iranians were not happy with the current regime.
“This is not our war, we didn’t create this war but we are paying the price,” he told AAP.
“If the outcome of the ceasefire would be to keep the Islamic Republic in power, that won’t be safe for the international community and won’t be safe for the people inside Iran.”
For some, like Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar, there was hope the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government.
Without a new regime, he is concerned the current administration will intensify its persecution of Iranian people.
“That’s my worst fear,” he told AAP.
“That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people.
“We are all worried about our family and friends and the whole country.”
There was also confusion as to whether a ceasefire would last.
Iran’s state media on Tuesday reported the truce and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he had accepted the ceasefire after achieving his war goals.
But just hours after Mr Trump announced the ceasefire, Israel’s defence minister ordered his country’s military to respond to what he claimed was an Iranian violation of the truce.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Australia was concerned about the risks of escalation.
“We don’t want to see the ceasefire broken – that’s the fundamental point here,” he told ABC’s 7.30.
“Clearly, what is in the interests of the region and the world, and both countries here, is that the ceasefire is maintained and we have a de-escalation.”
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