Calls for regime change grow in Toronto’s ‘Little Iran’ as community reacts to conflict

Canada’s Iranian communities held large rallies – with some hopeful for regime change, while others reflected on strikes and future uncertainty.

In a north Toronto neighbourhood known as “Little Iran,” there are signs all around expressing support for regime change. Some even declare: “Make Iran Great Again.”

At a shopping plaza on Monday, many Iranian-Canadians told CTV News they are grateful to U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for starting the war, though they acknowledged that stance might be difficult for some Canadians to reconcile.

“We are super happy about what’s happening,” said Sam Shaghagi, standing beside his truck with an Iranian flag draped across the hood. “What President Trump and Israel are doing for us … we will appreciate that forever.”

“I’m hoping as soon as possible, we get our freedom, our country back from this Islamic regime,” he added.

Many Iranian-Canadians said they are worried about loved ones overseas, but they also see this as a historic and hopeful moment that could lead to the end of nearly 50 years of Islamic rule in Iran.

Just about everyone CTV News asked said they were pleased to hear the ayatollah was dead.

“Super happy, because a dictator was killed,” said Shiva Shadmehr as she made her way into a grocery store. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“We have a very bright future for Iran, for sure,” said another customer.

At a local bakery, an elementary school teacher who identified herself only as Farnaz, due to concerns for her family’s safety, said she has been unable to reach relatives who live near Tehran’s Ghandi Hospital, which was damaged during a reported strike.

“It’s been two days and we don’t have any news from them. We don’t know if they’re alive, if they’re not,” she said.

She also hopes the situation leads to regime change.

Carlo Zadeh, owner of Arzon Supermarket, displays photos inside his store of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. He said he hopes the prince will soon return to Iran as a transitional leader.

Zadeh, a former police officer during the Shah’s rule, which came to an end in 1979, says he fled Iran and has long believed the country’s Islamic leadership has driven it into ruin. Reacting to news of the ayatollah’s death, he did not hold back.

“(There’s) a joy and happiness. Because those people, they do not belong to today. They belong to 1,500 years ago,” he said adding he’d like the regime to “go to hell.”

He said he believes Iranians will rise up and that a new king could improve not only Iran, but the wider world. He dreams of returning to help rebuild.

“I just miss it. I miss everything,” he said. “I want to go back and work as a volunteer, at least for one or two years, and build it back again.”

He also hopes perceptions about Iran will change.

“Everybody thinks we are terrorists. But no, we are not. We are anti-terrorists. We are very, very nice and good people,” Zadeh said.

“We are all educated. We had everything but some fanatical people just ruined the country.”