Iranians in Seattle React to Airstrikes in Iran

Local Iranian community members share mixed emotions over ongoing conflict in their homeland.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The turmoil in Iran has deeply impacted the Iranian community in Seattle, Washington. A local Iranian-American woman, Megan Javidan, who moved to the U.S. in 2010, says some Iranians in the area are hopeful the conflict will bring an end to the regime, while others struggle to reach loved ones back home. The situation has sparked a range of emotions, including fear, grief, and support for U.S. military involvement.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict in Iran is personal for many in the local Iranian community in Seattle, as they have family and friends living through the attacks. The story highlights the mixed reactions and emotions the Iranian-Americans in the area are experiencing, reflecting the complex and divisive nature of the situation in their homeland.

The details

Megan Javidan, a volunteer for the non-profit Voice of Iran Washington, moved from Iran to the U.S. in 2010 in search of a better future. She says some Iranians in Seattle are now "happy" that they believe the end of the regime is near, seeing it as a path to freedom after 47 years of "trauma." However, Javidan also notes that many local Iranians are too scared to go on camera, as they are still trying to reach their loved ones in Iran. The story also mentions Iranian-American groups rallying in support of regime change outside Seattle's Pike Place Market.

  • Javidan legally came to the United States in 2010.
  • In 2009, Javidan went out on the streets in Iran, hoping for a better future, but was faced with repression.

The players

Megan Javidan

A volunteer for the non-profit Voice of Iran Washington who moved from Iran to the U.S. in 2010 in search of a better future.

Voice of Iran Washington

A non-profit organization that Megan Javidan volunteers for.

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What they’re saying

“President Trump said help is on the way, and now the help is there, and I'm seeing people cheering, happy.”

— Megan Javidan, Volunteer, Voice of Iran Washington (FOX 13 Seattle)

“It's not a dream anymore, we're getting closer to the reality. For 47 years, we've been traumatized in this regime.”

— Megan Javidan, Volunteer, Voice of Iran Washington (FOX 13 Seattle)

“They said they're willing to die by U.S. and Israel bombing them, as long as they know it ends up in freedom for Iran, and they know if they went out to the streets once again, they were going to be shot by the regime's forces.”

— Megan Javidan, Volunteer, Voice of Iran Washington (FOX 13 Seattle)

“I want to thank the U.S. Army and the president for following through on his promise. I would like to give my condolences to those Americans who lost their lives for this purpose and, but I know the world is going to be a better place and a safer place for us Americans here in the U.S. because of their sacrifice.”

— Megan Javidan, Volunteer, Voice of Iran Washington (FOX 13 Seattle)

The takeaway

The ongoing conflict in Iran is deeply personal for many in the Iranian-American community in Seattle, as they have family and friends living through the turmoil. The situation has sparked a range of emotions, from hope for regime change to fear and grief, highlighting the complex and divisive nature of the crisis.