By Amr Gohar
Washington DC – As tensions inside Iran continue to draw global attention, many members of the Iranian diaspora are increasingly raising their voices in support of the Iranian people and their calls for freedom and democratic reform. In recent months, reports of violence, mass arrests, and deadly crackdowns on protesters have sparked international concern and renewed activism among Iranians living abroad.
At a rally held to support the Iranian resistance movement and amplify the voices of those inside the country, journalist Amr Gohar spoke with Iranian-American Lawyer Anna Sami, an Iranian-American activist who attended the event to show solidarity with protesters in Iran.
Although Sami was born and raised in the United States and has never visited Iran herself, she says her connection to the country remains deeply personal. Her parents left Iran shortly before the 1979 revolution, and their experiences under authoritarian rule shaped her understanding of the struggle for freedom and democracy.
During the conversation, Sami spoke about the emotional difficulty of staying in contact with family members still living in Iran, the hope and fear many Iranians currently feel, and why members of the diaspora believe it is their responsibility to speak for those who cannot safely express themselves inside the country. She also shared her views on what role the United States and the international community should play as the Iranian people push for political change.
In this exclusive interview, Sami reflects on identity, activism, and the enduring connection many Iranian-Americans feel toward a homeland they hope one day will become free and democratic.
Amr Gohar:
Can I have your name, please?
Ana Sami:
Yes, my name is Ana Sami.
Amr Gohar:
Why are you here today?
Ana Sami:
I’m here today to support the voices inside Iran. I think we are currently at a very critical juncture. As you know, the recent loss of life in Iran has been incredibly tragic, with reports of mass killings in the streets. At this moment, we must listen to the voices of the Iranian people inside the country. That is why we are all here today — to support those voices and help pave the way for democracy in Iran.
Amr Gohar:
Do you still have family in Iran?
Ana Sami:
Yes, I do.
Amr Gohar:
How are they doing?
Ana Sami:
It’s very difficult to communicate with them. First of all, it’s hard for us to call them directly. Usually, they are the ones who have to call outside the country. From what I hear, they are doing okay, but they are also very apprehensive about what might happen next. At the same time, they remain hopeful.
Amr Gohar:
When was the last time you were in Iran?
Ana Sami:
Actually, I’ve never been to Iran.
Amr Gohar:
Really?
Ana Sami:
Yes. I was born and raised here in the United States. My parents left Iran shortly before the revolution.
Amr Gohar:
So that means you can’t wait to visit Iran one day?
Ana Sami:
Absolutely. It would be the first time I could go, because until now it simply hasn’t been safe.
Amr Gohar:
Since you were born here and are an American citizen, what do you want from the U.S. government now? Are you asking for military intervention or something else?
Ana Sami:
I think we have to understand one important reality: if Iran is going to become a stable democracy, it must come from the Iranian people themselves. Iranians do not want foreign intervention. They also do not want anything to do with the current regime or its remnants. At the same time, they do not want to go back to the monarchy. What they want is freedom and democracy.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran, which represents the opposition in exile, has proposed a provisional government that would take over for six months to allow a democratic transition. The goal is to create stability and allow the Iranian people to determine their future.
Amr Gohar:
Since you were born here and have never been to Iran, why do you still care so deeply about what happens there?
Ana Sami:
That’s a very good question. I was raised by parents who instilled in me a deep love for Iran — for the country and its people — but also a strong opposition to authoritarian governments. My mother herself was imprisoned during the time of the Shah, so my family experienced repression even before the current regime came to power. They didn’t need the Islamic Republic to understand what dictatorship looks like.
For me, this is about humanity. It’s about standing up for people who are oppressed and who risk their lives protesting in the streets. Those of us living in free countries have the ability to speak out without fear. Because of that, I feel it is not only my duty but my honor to be a voice for those inside Iran who cannot speak freely.
Amr Gohar:
It sounds like your parents did a very good job raising you.
Ana Sami:
Thank you. I truly believe they did.
Anna Sami’s perspective reflects a broader sentiment shared by many members of the Iranian diaspora — a deep emotional connection to a homeland they may not have personally experienced, but whose struggle for freedom remains close to their hearts. For Sami, advocacy is not about politics alone, but about standing with people who continue to risk their lives demanding basic rights and democratic representation.
Her message also underscores a key point often raised by Iranian activists abroad: that meaningful change must ultimately come from the Iranian people themselves, supported by international awareness but not imposed through outside intervention.
As protests, political uncertainty, and calls for reform continue to shape Iran’s future, voices like Sami’s highlight how the struggle for freedom resonates far beyond the country’s borders, uniting communities around the world who hope one day to see a free and democratic Iran.
Original article
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