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Amidst the focus on the military operations targeting Iran’s controversial leadership, it’s crucial not to lose sight of the ultimate goal: freeing the Iranian populace from the grip of a regime often described as brutal and archaic. Developments are unfolding, as evidenced by reports earlier this Sunday about the establishment of a new leadership council within the Islamic Republic. However, the members of this council remain vigilant, aware of potential threats from American and Israeli forces. It seems increasingly likely that significant changes are on the horizon.
Iranians, both within the country and abroad, are celebrating these developments, and even the mainstream media has taken note. Two particular stories from the weekend stand out. The first was featured on CBS Evening News, hosted by Tony Dokoupil:
During a discussion about the passing of the Supreme Leader, Dokoupil engaged with his guest:
Middle East correspondent Courtney Kealy:
Kealy insightfully pointed out an essential truth: it’s still early in this unfolding scenario, and there are numerous directions it might take. Nonetheless, one can certainly empathize with the joy of the Iranian people, who view these events as a step toward their liberation.
Speaking on the death of the Supreme Leader, Mr. Dokoutil asks his guest:
The Iranian people, what are you hearing from them tonight, we know they’re celebrating, what’s the feeling?
Middle East reporter Courtney Kealy:
It’s a terrible dissonance that they had to choose war over a regime. But they were willing to do it. Thank you Donald Trump, thank you Benjamin Netanyahu, thank you America, it’s not death to America after they killed the leader, the Americans and the Israelis did it, it’s not death to Israel, it’s not death to America, it’s thank you. It’s a new day dawning. But, very early days. Very, very early days. So we’ll have to see what comes, but the Iranian people that have been telling me over and over, and over again, we want this. We’re not regimeists, we’re not Islamic. I don’t even say “Oh my God” to my Iranian friends, because they don’t want God to be any part of this.
Courtney Kealy is correct about one key thing: It’s very early in this exercise yet, and there are all kinds of ways this could go sideways. But we can understand the Iranian people’s joy at what they perceive as their liberation.
Next, CNN weighs in:
Iranian-American Moj Mahdara: “It is imperative the Democrat Party wake up and get past their dislike of President Trump… This will be like ending the Soviet Union, the Berlin Wall. This is a transformational moment for humankind.” pic.twitter.com/cs13sSXD2v
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 1, 2026
State of the Union Host Dana Bash is speaking with Iranian Diaspora Collective members Moj Mahdara and Milad Alami.
Moj Mahdara: It is imperative the Democratic Party wake up and get past their dislike of President Trump, President Trump, and their feelings of their national conflicts going on. This is about national security. This is about what it possible in the Middle East. This is about being a good neighbor, a good partner towards the Gulf States and what their aspirations are. This is about supporting the people of Venezuela, this is about dismembering our relationship with, uh, well not dismembering but resetting our relationship with China. Right now 55 percent of the oil production that Iran produces goes to China despite sanctions. You want to support the people of Ukraine? You want to end that war? You have to… There is no getting around dismembering this Islamic republic. It is non-negotiable. It is not a want to have. They have to have it. And not just for the Iranian people. I think you have to trust the Iranian people. We know this government better than anyone else. When you dismember and decapitate this regime, you are going to see a change in the Middle East, in Venezuela, in China, in Ukraine, and I think quite frankly their ideology has really… it’s caused a lot of problems for us worldwide. We need to take it seriously, and I think at this point we have a tremendous opportunity. This will be like ending the Soviet Union. The Berlin Wall. This is a transformational moment for humankind. For security, and as an American, as an American, this is in our interest. It is. So, I am a Democrat. I have been a huge Democrat. I am incredibly disappointed with my party. I do not see myself in them at this moment.
It’s a safe bet that Moj Mahdara has plenty of company in that last statement right now.