As a companion to my previous interview with an analyst based in Israel regarding the recent U.S. and Israeli war against Iran and the subsequent ‘memorandum of understanding’ (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran, I present this interview with a contact who resides in the Iranian city of Qom (known as a centre of religious learning). He has resided in Iran since 2012, having originally come there from Syria, and I have known him for many years.
It is clear to me that there is, at minimum, a substantial minority of Iranians who remain committed to the Islamic Republic as an ideological project.
Q: You used to be critical of the Iranian government’s policies before the war. But in this war, you stood with the government. How did you view what Israel and America were doing? Did you think they would bring about regime change?
A: Of course, I was not the only person who had criticisms of the government’s performance in Iran and later changed my position after the war. Rather, most Iranians came to realize after the war who the real enemy was and whom they should stand against, especially in times of crisis.
The objective of the Israeli-American aggression was not merely to overthrow the regime. Their plans extended beyond that to gaining control over the country’s resources and wealth. This is evident in numerous examples, such as Libya, Syria, and others, where intervention in domestic affairs was justified under the pretexts of protecting local populations and promoting democracy. Everyone knows what followed in those cases.
Q: What was life like in Qom living under Israeli and American bombing? How extensive was destruction in Qom and did any places you know get destroyed? Did you lose any friends in the airstrikes?
A: The bombing was not particularly intense in the city of Qom. I believe the city was targeted approximately six times during the war, resulting in around 82 martyrs, according to the official statistics of the Health Ministry.
None of my friends were among the victims. However, there was a Syrian family among those killed—the Darir family. May God have mercy upon them and grant them the highest place in Paradise.
The Darir family, consisting of five members, lived approximately 10 kilometers from my residence in the city of Qom.
The most severe damage, however, occurred in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah. In particular, the bombardment of Tehran continued throughout the entire duration of the war without interruption.
Q: What did people in Qom think of the Iranian exiles cheering the bombing and calling for the restoration of the Shah?
A: People across Iran—not only in Qom—were deeply displeased with those who celebrated and applauded the bombing of their fellow Iranians, whether they were supporters of the Shah or members of the Iranian opposition abroad.
In their view, the regime did not collapse; it endured and has emerged in a position to dictate its terms to the Americans. They regard this, in itself, as a victory.
Q: How do you view the new deal between America and Iran? Do you see it as a victory for Iran? Do you have hope the agreement will bring positive change in Iran?
A: Naturally, the vast majority of people in Iran do not trust the U.S. government or the agreement that was recently signed. The ruling politics also remains skeptical, despite the new Supreme Leader’s approval of the agreement. Nevertheless, we hope that the agreement will achieve its intended objectives, by lifting of economic sanctions and the release of the country’s frozen assets.
Many people view the agreement as a humiliation for the Americans. They believe that the United States sought regime change, yet now its primary concern appears to be ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. In their view, the regime did not collapse; it endured and has emerged in a position to dictate its terms to the Americans. They regard this, in itself, as a victory.
Published originally on June 23, 2026.
