Quite often, you’ll hear me say that most stories are rich in nuance and must have context. This is true. What is also true is that there are some news stories and current events that operate along more of a black-and-white line. The current Iranian revolution (if one could call it that) represents, I believe, one of those moments.

While I understand some may—shockingly—not agree that a murderous theocratic regime needs to be out of power, tons of other people say otherwise. And most of the people who do want to see regime change are Iranians (Persians) themselves, whether in the country or the diaspora.

There’s no way to accurately summarize an entire country’s opinion, but the resounding calls I hear from various Iranian journalists and creators out there is that they are ready for freedom.

On that note, and on the note of wanting to always be a place for you that offers context and more information on any given issue, I humbly offer up a conversation I recently had on my podcast with a member of the Iranian diaspora.

I encourage you to listen to the podcast itself, linked here, but you can also get a taste of what we discussed below, in this summarized Q and A, created with a transcript of our interview. These questions and answers have been generated from a transcript of our interview, and may or may not reflect exact quotes from the actual interview.

A Conversation with a Member of the Iranian Diaspora

On Iran, the Diaspora, and Watching a Revolution From Afar

Host (Sonni): Nikki, thank you so much for joining me. This is a more serious turn for We Gotta Talk. For listeners who may not know, once a week on my Substack I write a segment called News for Normies, where I break down major global stories in an accessible way. For the past few weeks, I’ve been covering what’s happening in Iran — and I wanted to bring in someone who could speak to this not just politically, but personally. 

You’re a member of the Iranian diaspora. For people who may not know what that means, can you explain it — and your connection to Iran?

Nikki Namdar: Thank you so much for having me. “Diaspora” really just means people who left their home country and now live somewhere else. Both of my parents are Iranian — they’re from Tehran. My father left Iran in 1979 during the revolution, and my mother left earlier, in the 1960s. 

My father’s lifelong dream was to see Iran be free again. He left during the revolution because, as he used to say, “Khomeini came, and there wasn’t room for the both of us.” If he were alive to see what’s happening right now, it truly would have brought a tear to his eye.

Sonni: That connection runs really deep for you. Do you still have family in Iran?

Nikki: No, we don’t have immediate family still there. My mom left in the 1960s, and she had an uncle who was murdered for being Jewish in Tehran. His father opened a synagogue in his memory, and it’s actually still standing today — which is incredible. But unfortunately, we’re not able to go home. We don’t even know if we’re allowed to go back. We may be blacklisted.

Iran isn’t just a political story to us. It’s family history, trauma, culture, and identity. It’s where our roots are, even if we can’t physically return.

Sonni: You’ve talked before about how different Iran was before the Islamic Republic took over. Can you describe that contrast?

Nikki: Iran in the 1960s and ’70s was much more modern and socially liberal than people realize today. Women didn’t have to cover. It wasn’t an Islamic state. The ancient religion of Iran is actually Zoroastrianism — my family is Jewish, but Iran itself was not governed by religious law.

After the revolution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — the IRGC — took power. Their goal isn’t just Iran. They want influence across the Middle East. That’s why you see their proxy groups everywhere: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen. When people talk about instability in the region, this is the connective tissue.

Sonni: People often don’t understand why the revolution happened in the first place. What did your father say about that period?

Nikki: He always said people were unhappy, but they didn’t understand what was coming next. Everyone wanted change — but they didn’t realize what was on the other side. He used to say, “The grass is always greener,” and that people didn’t know what they were trading away.

Growing up, my parents would tell me that the people Americans think of as the “good guys” helped destroy our country. I didn’t understand it at the time, but when you actually look at history, leftist movements aligned with Islamist extremism — and that’s how 1979 happened. A lot of Iranians feel like history is repeating itself right now.

Sonni: I want to pause here, because this is important — criticizing extremist political Islam is not the same as criticizing Islam as a religion.

Nikki: Exactly. I love Muslims. They’re my family, my friends, my people. But there is a massive difference between faith and extremism. Calling out terrorism is not Islamophobia. I cannot live somewhere where my hair showing could get me killed. That’s not hatred — that’s survival.

Sonni: Your father came to the U.S. alone, right?

Nikki: Yes. He came to New York City in 1979 without knowing anyone. He met my mom later at a synagogue. But he didn’t want to get married until he knew his parents were safe — because they were still in Iran.

My grandparents were smuggled out through the mountains into Turkey. It was freezing. My grandmother’s hand literally froze into a fist during that escape, and she lived with that injury for the rest of her life. They knocked on the first door in Turkey, and the people there knew exactly what was happening — it was that common. They crossed the world just to survive.

Sonni: And yet, despite all of that, your father wasn’t outwardly angry.

Nikki: No, he wasn’t angry in that way. He was emotional and nostalgic. He missed Iran deeply. He used to say, “Iran isn’t what you see on TV. It’s beautiful. It’s loving.” We never got to go back. We still don’t know if we ever will.

Sonni: Watching what’s happening now — protests, deaths, internet blackouts — how is your family processing this from afar?

Nikki: It’s heartbreaking. We’ve honestly stopped expecting Western activists to speak up. The silence is familiar. There’s relief in seeing resistance, but it comes with so much death and bloodshed. It’s devastating to watch people you love suffer from an entire ocean away.

Sonni: Many Iranians are asking for international intervention. How do you feel about that?

Nikki: It’s complicated. We need help — but not destruction. I don’t want Iran erased from the map. I want it free.

When Israel targets the IRGC and its proxies, they’re not just helping themselves. They’re helping Iranians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Yemenis. The IRGC isn’t just in Iran — they’re embedded globally. If the Ayatollah falls, that’s a blessing for everyone.

Sonni: If you had one message you could implant in people’s minds — especially Westerners — what would it be?

Nikki: Don’t assume you understand the Middle East if you don’t have a stake in it. Listen to Iranians. The Islamic regime is far more powerful and far more embedded than people realize.

Sonni: How do you imagine the best possible ending?

Nikki: Iran stays on the map — but the IRGC is eliminated. The Iranian people regain democracy. That’s the dream. I really wish my dad were here to see it.

Sonni: Thank you for trusting me — and our audience — with your story.

Nikki: Thank you for listening.

Thank you so much for reading. This has always been a space where you’ll find both serious topics and lighter ones, and for those who are here to take it all in, I’m grateful. I hope this interview opened your eyes in a small way, and you’ll consider sharing with a friend.