LOS ANGELES — Responding to Iranian callers who are sharing their thoughts on the U.S. airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander, Alireza has a huge responsibility — keeping the Persian community informed in a time of great sensitivity.
While tensions are escalating between the United States and Iran, Alireza says local Persians are actually celebrating.
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“The Iranian community in Los Angeles of course, they are mostly happy because they believe that Qasem Soleimani is one of the biggest terrorists who works with the Islamic Republic,” he said.
Alireza is constantly monitoring both media inside of Iran and media here in the U.S. He serves the largest Iranian population outside of Iran, Southern California. But he says local Persians have different perspectives than those still living in Iran.
“In Iran, the situation is a little bit different. In Iran, the Iranian government tries to make it like he is the biggest hero of the Islamic Republic. Some how they show the audience that, the people believing he defends the country,” Alireza explained.
But no matter one’s perspective on Soleimani’s death, local Iranians are united by concern about the safety of their families abroad.
“I have family in Iran and for sure we are worried about their safety. But I don’t believe that Iran and the U.S. are going to go to a war like the U.S. and Iraq or the U.S. and Afghanistan," Alireza said. "The situation of Iran is totally different, thank God technology is totally different. So it’s not a blind attack.”
He’s referring to the precision used when Soleimani was targeted in Baghdad.
And whether a full blown war unfolds or not, Alireza continues to focus on being a reliable source of information for his community.