Bay Area Woman Advocates for U.S. Intervention in Iran

Narges Khasani's experiences growing up under strict Islamic rule in Iran have solidified her support for American intervention.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Narges Khasani, a Bay Area resident, has been organizing rallies in support of U.S. intervention in Iran. Khasani, who escaped Iran in 1996, vividly remembers the lack of freedom and strict rules she experienced growing up under the Islamic Republic, including mandatory hijabs and fear of criticizing the government. Her personal experiences have fueled her advocacy for American involvement to bring about change in her home country.

Why it matters

Khasani's story highlights the lasting impact that living under an authoritarian regime can have on individuals, even after they've found refuge in democratic countries like the U.S. Her activism reflects a growing movement among Iranian-Americans who are pushing for greater U.S. involvement to support political reforms and human rights in Iran.

The details

Khasani, who became a U.S. citizen after fleeing Iran in 1996, has helped organize rallies in the Bay Area calling for American intervention in Iran. She vividly remembers the lack of personal freedoms she experienced growing up, including strict dress codes, limitations on jobs for women, and the fear of arrest for criticizing the government. Khasani's experiences stand in stark contrast to her family's life before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when they were able to freely dance and enjoy a much different quality of life.

  • Khasani escaped Iran in 1996.
  • Khasani has been organizing rallies in support of U.S. intervention in recent years.

The players

Narges Khasani

A Bay Area resident who escaped Iran in 1996 and has been advocating for U.S. intervention in her home country based on her personal experiences growing up under strict Islamic rule.

Razavi Sahar

The director of the Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center at Cal-State Sacramento, who provided context on how people's freedoms were restricted in Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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What they’re saying

“You can see from the picture, there's always a fear plus a sadness.”

— Narges Khasani (CBS News Bay Area)

“Fully covered. This is my high school days. It was really hard to be happy because we didn't have any freedom.”

— Narges Khasani (CBS News Bay Area)

“People's freedoms in their everyday life contracted.”

— Razavi Sahar, Director of Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center, Cal-State Sacramento (CBS News Bay Area)

What’s next

Khasani plans to continue organizing rallies and advocating for greater U.S. involvement in supporting political reforms and human rights in Iran.

The takeaway

Khasani's personal experiences of growing up under strict Islamic rule in Iran have fueled her strong support for U.S. intervention, highlighting how the lasting impacts of authoritarian regimes can drive activism among those who have found refuge in democratic countries.