'War breaks my heart but we want our country back'

"There's frustration because decades of repression have led to this unnecessary suffering, but there's also hope because many Iranians believe this moment could mark the beginning of genuine change."

Habib Farbahi, a Somerset councillor who lives in Taunton, left Iran in 1976, but many of his relatives still live there. The current conflict has created an "element of fear along with hope," he added.

Iran has faced unrest in recent months over concerns about its economy and its former supreme leader. It resulted in internet blackouts and the arrests and killings of thousands of protesters.

The United States and Israel launched air strikes on the country on Saturday after president Donald Trump threatened military intervention over allegations Iran is continuing to develop nuclear weapons.

Iranian state TV confirmed that the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in air strikes on Saturday.

The 86-year-old had ruled the country for the past three decades, serving as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, including the elite Revolutionary Guards.

His death prompted mixed reactions in Iran, with some celebrating in the streets and others mourning.

Reports suggest at least 1,100 people have been killed since the conflict began on Saturday, including more than 150 children after their primary school was bombed, Iranian officials have said.

Farbahi said he had fond memories of growing up in Iran, and that the nation should not be defined by today's politics.

He told BBC Radio Somerset that he and many other Iranians had mixed feelings about Khamenei's death and the ongoing conflict in the country.

"There's fear because escalation risks lives - including our own British servicemen along with Americans - as well as the Iranian and the Gulf states. Innocent civilians are being lost," he said.

"There's frustration because decades of repression have led to this unnecessary suffering, but there's also hope because many Iranians believe this moment could mark the beginning of genuine change.

"Parents in Iran and across the rest of the Middle East want safety and opportunities for their children, just as families in Somerset do."

Hamid Anzabi said he made the "difficult decision" to leave Iran with his wife and two-month-old son in 2013 due to the impact of the Islamic Republic.

Anzabi, who now lives in Bristol, said he still felt a "deep emotional connection" to his home country and agreed that watching the conflict unfold was difficult.

"Many Iranians inside and outside the country feel a mixture of concern, sadness and frustration when they see continued political tensions, protests and instability," he added.

He said he hoped Iran could elect a political system that "reflected the will of the people" and provided "stability, freedom and economic opportunity".

Hani, who lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, said she was "worried all the time" about her parents and brother who stayed in Iran after she fled the country about six years ago.

She said she knew tensions would continue to rise and lead to conflict in the country, but added that she felt "very happy" that the population might be free from the current regime.

"We don't know what has been happening," Hani told BBC Radio Wiltshire.

"It is war, but we know that it's an opportunity for people after the regime falls to take our destination and our future in our hands," she added.

Pasha Pashapour Alamdari came to Cheltenham in Gloucestershire to study nearly 25 years ago.

He described the current situation as a "rescue mission", rather than a war.

"We together have been campaigning and protesting to achieve this. There's only one way to get rid of the regime.

"This is our final chance to get our country back. We want this, we were pushing for this... there's no other way to get our country back," he added.

"It's really difficult, it breaks my heart but this is the only way.

"We've been suffering for 47 years and finally there's a small light at the end of the tunnel."

Alamdari said he hoped the people in his home country could chose their own future through a democratic vote and everybody there could "live in harmony" regardless of their background, religion or political views.

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