Members of Australia’s Iranian community are feeling “numb” and helpless as the death toll from violent, anti-regime protests increases.
At least 490 protesters have been killed in two weeks of unrest across the nation as the government steps up its severe effort to stop the uprising, according to US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran.
Dozens of security personnel have also died and more than 10,600 people have been arrested, the group said.
The protests began in response to soaring inflation but quickly turned political, with protesters demanding clerical rulers step down.
Iran has warned it will retaliate if the US attacks after President Donald Trump said he could intervene in the deadly demonstrations.
Siamak Ghahreman, president of the Australian-Iranian Community Organisation, said many have struggled to contact family back home due to an internet blackout, cutting the nation off from the rest of the world.
“This is really sad and the whole community is numb, plus there isn’t much people can really do from here,” he told AAP.
“We’ve done demonstrations and sent letters to the government, but that’s as far as we can take it. It’s been like that for 47 years.”
There are fears the death toll will escalate, with protesters and the government both not backing down.
“There is no common sense in the Iranian government and for it to survive, they are prepared to kill as many as it takes just to be in power,” Mr Ghahreman said.
“The way that it’s going is that the people are not going to stop until they overturn the government. They are totally fed up this time.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday condemned the regime for oppressing and killing its people.
“We stand with the people of Iran who are standing up for their human rights, standing up for their dignity, standing up for a change that is required,” he told reporters in Canberra.
He said the Islamic Republic regime played a “bad role internationally”, which was why he expelled Iran’s ambassador in 2025 for the involvement of its agencies in attacks on Australian soil.
Kambiz Razmara, vice president of the Australian-Iranian Society of Victoria, said feelings among the community were mixed.
“On one hand, people are suffering and are being brutalised under the same oppressive regime as the last 50 years,” he said.
“On the other hand, if there is any silver lining, the end of the oppression is near and people are fighting hard to get there.”