The Iranian opposition fears that while the current regime may collapse, the oppression will not necessarily end

Friday, Jul 11, 2025

HVG

Iranian diaspora in Europe watches home after Israeli attacks; skilled dissidents flee repression and danger.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The Iranian diaspora in Europe is anxiously watching events back home following Israeli attacks. Thousands have fled Iran over the past year and a half, with Europe serving as their last hope since protests erupted after Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022. These protests led to hundreds of thousands of arrests and trials against opposition figures, resulting in tens of thousands seeking asylum across EU member states, particularly Germany. The text highlights the experiences of highly educated, politically active women who fled persecution; Saeedeh Fathabadi Fathi, a former editor, was arrested after supporting colleagues, enduring harsh interrogation and solitary confinement before eventually leaving Iran under duress. Marzieh Safdari also faced severe repression, including being beaten during her escape route to Europe. Despite the ongoing turmoil, experts express pessimism about immediate change, noting that while many are fleeing due to worsening conditions, there is no unified opposition ready to take power, complicated by deep societal divisions and poverty.

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