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CHICAGO (WLS) — Iranian Americans are expressing deep concern as their family members in Iran endure the constant fear of bombings. Despite some supporters of President Donald Trump dismissing his recent threats as mere bravado, the situation is being taken seriously by Iranian citizens.
In Iran, a somber memorial took place for the 175 victims of an airstrike that devastated a girls’ school, marking the beginning of the conflict in Iran. In the weeks following, tensions have surged with Trump escalating his rhetoric, stating ominously, “A whole civilization will die tonight. Never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
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This intimidating declaration followed U.S. military strikes targeting Iranian military installations on Kharg Island, a crucial hub for Iran’s oil exports.
“It’s terrifying and unbelievable. This isn’t the America I envisioned,” remarked Iranian refugee Ali Tarokh. He finds the current discourse starkly at odds with the ideals of the United States.
Tarokh had hoped never to hear such rhetoric again after fleeing Iran 12 years ago, following his imprisonment for political dissent. While Trump’s threats are intended to pressure Iran into negotiating an end to the conflict, Tarokh shares that his mother in Iran is living in fear.
“She prepared herself and also my brother and his family to die together if something happened to them,” Tarokh said.
But on Tuesday evening, Trump says he has agreed to suspend a planned bombing attack on Iran for two weeks if Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In the post on his social media platform, less than two hours before a self-imposed deadline, Trump cited conversations with Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who have been negotiating an off-ramp.
SEE ALSO | Iran live updates: Pakistan asks Trump for deadline extension on Iran threat
In the post, Trump said, “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!”
Trump said the U.S. has received a 10-point proposal from Iran and “believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated.”
Meanwhile, Chicago protests are being held on Tuesday evening in response to Trump’s earlier threats. Some are calling on Congress to step up, and those with family or direct ties to Iran are now uncertain of what will happen to them and the country.
The group Chicago 4 Iran stood outside the Wrigley Building with signs saying, “Human rights are nonnegotiable.”
The organization is comprised of Iranians and Iranian Americans who say they have been terrorized under the regime and now have been put in a difficult position with the U.S. and Israel.
“People are desperate. They are like, very angry about where the direction of this conflict is going, meaning that people are stuck in the middle of the regime and Israel and United States,” said Tirdad Kiamanesh with Chicago 4 Iran.
And a short time before that protest, another coalition of activists and community organizations made their plea to the public and politicians to take action now.
“Calling on Congress and Senate to hold him accountable,” said Baltazar Enriquez with the Little Village Community Council. “We can’t go around the world terrorizing people.”
Tarokh and other Iranian Americans living in the Chicago area say not only have civilian lives been lost, but their relatives’ livelihoods have been ruined since the war started.
“The money has no value because people just don’t have anymore. Everything is closed. There’s nothing left there, and people are just fed up with this,” said Iranian American Organization of Illinois President Manoocher Shadnia.
Shadnia left Iran during the Iranian revolution 40 years ago. He and Tarokh came here for freedom and have built lives as Americans. Both say emotionally, they are caught in the middle.
“I am not full of hate against this country, no, because I have my human rights and I’m able to be speaking. I’m able to speak up against this war,” Tarokh said.
As the war and threats continue, Tarokh and Shadnia say Trump must stop treating the situation like a video game and realize his actions affect millions of human beings.
“I would like to have President Trump come to his senses. Please be responsible. You can’t just bomb everything back to the Stone Age,” Shadnia said.
Responding to the president’s threats on social media earlier Tuesday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote, “This is not foreign policy, it’s a deranged mad man threatening to wipe out an entire country. It’s past time. The 25th Amendment must be invoked.”
There have been several calls by Democrats and some conservatives for cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment.
ABC News contributed to this report.
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