Behzad Hemmati and Rahil Nazarian, an Iranian American couple from California, have spoken out against the prevalent anti-war protests in the United States concerning the ongoing conflict with Iran. Reflecting on their upbringing under a controlling regime in Iran, they express concern that the protests misunderstand the nature of the conflict. For them, the current operation in Iran is not merely a military engagement, but rather a crucial 'rescue mission' aimed at liberating the Iranian people from oppressive rule.

The couple vividly recalls their experiences growing up in Iran under the Shah's rule prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Hemmati, who was too young to fully appreciate the freedoms before the revolution, emphasizes how the regime restricted personal freedoms and controlled lives. Their move to America represents not just a physical relocation but a desire to escape an oppressive environment and experience freedom, values that they feel are threatened by misunderstanding the nature of the current conflict.

As Operation Epic Fury continues and draws scrutiny from different sides of the American public, Hemmati and Nazarian urge a better understanding of the situation as they view the military actions as a necessary step towards achieving dignity and freedom for those still living under the Iranian regime. They hope that their voices can contribute to a more nuanced dialogue on the humanitarian implications of current events, emphasizing their personal stakes in this complex geopolitical situation.