‘We have been fighting for our freedom’: Iranians rally in Halifax after attacks on Iran

Members of the Iranian community rallied in Halifax over the weekend following the attacks by the U.S. and Israel.

Members of the Iranian community gathered in Halifax over the weekend for a rally following the attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.

Hundreds of people attended the rally in Victoria Park, many of them waving Iranian flags and holding signs as they played music and cheered.

“From our region, from our heart, it is not attack against Iranian people,” said Soheila Hashemi, who helped organize Sunday’s event. “It is against the government Islamic Republic that they don’t belong to Iran. They don’t represent Iranians.”

Similar rallies were held across Canada, with Iranians saying they hope this is the beginning of the collapse to the Iranian regime.

“It’s a kind of protest as well to say, ‘thank you,’ to president of U.S.A. and as well as to Israel and show our happiness of what’s happening in Iran,” added Hashemi.

“We want to let the world know that we needed support, we don’t forget who support us. We want to continue until we have our selected government by our election.”

U.S. and Israel first launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Sarvin Borhani, an Iranian who has been living in Canada for two years, said she’s happy the leader has been killed.

“We Iranians don’t consider Islamic Republic as our government, we consider this a terrorist regime,” said Borhani, who attended the Halifax rally. “We have been fighting for our freedom for the complete and total overthrow of the Islamic Republic.”

Israel and Iran have been at odds since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw the current regime take power. Iran has refused to acknowledge Israel’s legitimacy, often referring to it as a “Zionist regime” that is occupying Palestinian territory.

Hundreds are reported dead in Iran while dozens of casualties have also been recorded in Israel, Lebanon and surrounding countries as the conflict escalates in the region.

Canada not involved or notified of Iran attack: Anand

Canada’s minister of foreign affairs says the country has no plans to participate in ongoing attacks against Iran.

“Canada wasn’t involved, we weren’t notified and we do not have an intention to be involved in any military strikes or operation,” Anita Anand told reporters on Monday.

Anand says while Canada shares concerns with the United States about nuclear proliferation in Iran, it prefers a diplomatic solution.

“This is why I have spent the last two days speaking with my counterparts across the Middle East and in the Gulf States… and all of G7 counterparts, stressing that Canada believes in a diplomatic and peaceful solution,” Anand said. “And as soon as possible, we would like parties to get to the table.”

In a written statement Monday morning, Anand reiterated that stance while condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes on civilian infrastructure across the Middle East.

“These attacks are a dangerous threat to regional stability and civilian safety,” Anand said in the prepared statement. “They represent an unacceptable escalation and a blatant attempt to further destabilize the region.”

With files from CTVNews.ca Staff and The Associated Press

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page