Iranians in Oxford ‘worried sick’ about loved ones amid Middle East conflict

Iranians in Oxford say they are “worried sick” about family members amid growing conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli and US forces launched air strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Iranian missiles being launched towards Israel in retaliation.

Hundreds of Iranians have lost their lives, including 148 school children in a strike on an elementary school.

The conflict has widened to Lebanon with Israel and militia group Hezbollah launching attacks.

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Councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, who is an Oxford city councillor and NHS doctor, came to the UK as a refugee from Iran at the age of 13.

She said: “I’m worried sick about friends, family and loved ones.

“I was horrified to hear about the killing of 150 school children by Israeli bombs.

“It’s heartbreaking because I know that this won’t make things better, it will just make things worse.

“Practically speaking, we are struggling to get through to loved ones who have had to flee Tehran.

“I know from speaking to NHS colleagues, most residents think this is utterly madness and it’s only going to make things worse.”

Councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini (Image: NQ)

She added that she appreciated the kindness of NHS colleagues and friends in Oxford.

Masood Khanloo is the manager of Shiraz, a Persian restaurant on Cowley Road, and left Iran 27 years ago.

He said that he tried to put up the original Persian flag, which was used before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in the restaurant.

But he decided to take it down after his friends told him to.

He said: “I put the flag up this weekend and two of my friends said [to me] ‘there are many people who do not like to see this flag’.

“In a friendly way, they said it’s better to remove it.

“I just wanted to know what people in Oxford think about it.

“I’m definitely sure we are not doing something wrong.”

Shiraz Persian restaurant in Cowley Road Picture: Google (Image: Oxford Mail)

He said that many people hoped that the death of the supreme leader “could lead to significant changes in the region and contribute to a more peaceful future”.

This weekend thousands of people took to the streets of London to celebrate the death of Iran’s supreme leader, with many waving the original Iranian flag.

Mr Khanloo added: “There are many Iranian people in London, they are happy.

“All around the world, they are happy that the terrorist regime is going after 47 years.”

He added that he wanted to have the opportunity to “understand the views of the wider Oxford public on this matter”.

The Trump administration argued that the military campaign is lawful to ensure that Iran does not become a nuclear power.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had given the US permission to used British bases for specific defensive purposes, but confirmed that the UK will not be joining the offensive.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that 300,000 British citizens are in Gulf countries targeted by Iran, and officials are understood to be working on plans for a potential evacuation.