Iranians in Chicago Express Mixed Emotions After U.S.-Israel Attacks in Iran

Community members share feelings ranging from celebration to concern over the strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Members of Chicago's Iranian community are expressing a wide range of emotions in response to the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran that killed the country's supreme leader. Some are celebrating what they see as a turning point for Iran, while others are concerned about the potential for instability. Iranians who fled the country years ago believe the strikes could lead to political change, but they also worry about the safety of family members still living in Iran.

Why it matters

The attacks on Iran have significant geopolitical implications and have elicited strong reactions from the Iranian diaspora community in the U.S. The mixed emotions expressed by Iranians in Chicago reflect the complex and personal nature of this issue, as it impacts both those who have fled the regime and those with loved ones still living under it.

The details

Several Iranian Americans in Chicago shared their reactions to the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Pegah Piri, an organizer with the local group "Make Iran Great Again," said her family in Iran celebrated with dancing and fireworks, though communication was quickly cut off. University professor Shiva Rahmani, who left Iran 14 years ago, said she felt a mix of disbelief and excitement at the news. Dorsa Fahimi, who came to the U.S. as a graduate student in 2013, said the strikes lifted a "burden" she had carried since birth, though she hasn't been able to reach her family in Iran since the internet was cut off.

  • The U.S. and Israel launched the strikes against Iran over the weekend.
  • Shortly after the strike, phone service was quickly cut off to Piri's family by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The players

Pegah Piri

An organizer with the local group "Make Iran Great Again".

Shiva Rahmani

A university professor who left Iran 14 years ago and celebrated the news in Daley Plaza on Saturday.

Dorsa Fahimi

An Iranian American who came to the U.S. as a graduate student in 2013.

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What they’re saying

“When we heard the news, we were over the moon happy. It was a dream come true. Something that we've been waiting for for the past 47 years, and we felt so free.”

— Pegah Piri, Organizer (cbsnews.com)

“I jumped off my couch, it was a mix of disbelief… excitement… is it really happening?”

— Shiva Rahmani, University Professor (cbsnews.com)

“I could feel the burden that I have been carrying with myself for, since I was born was lifted.”

— Dorsa Fahimi (cbsnews.com)

The takeaway

The reactions from Iranians in Chicago highlight the complex and personal nature of the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. While some see it as a turning point that could lead to political change, others express concern about the potential for instability and the safety of loved ones still in the country. The mixed emotions reflect the deep impact this issue has on the Iranian diaspora community.