British-Iranian in Teesside concerned for his family in Iran
Soroush Sadeghzadeh has lived in Teesside for two decades and considers it home
Last updated 5th Mar 2026
A British-Iranian, who considers Teesside his adopted home, is hoping for a regime change in Iran to bring hope and stability as he waits to hear from his family and loved ones over there.
Soroush Sadeghzadeh has been living in Teesside for more than 20 years after fleeing from Iran in fear of religious persecution.
Israeli strikes on Iran are continuing for a sixth day.
Soroush said: "I wasn't shocked if I'm honest to begin with. Of course it's always difficult to hear about war in any place in the world but with Iran, my homeland, and also with the whole region, this has been escalating so we were anticipating it and in fact, many Iranians have been encouraging the west to take action which includes military intervention.
"To many Iranians including myself this isn't really war. We see this as military intervention and support, so the news was welcome in many ways although it's difficult. It's been a welcome news because when you live under oppression, particularly by such a regime, then you'll experience things that will make military intervention a welcome news.
"In all honesty I never thought that I would rejoice at the news of hearing someone's death, but I joined many millions of Iranians around the world when we heard that the Supreme Leader of the current regime occupying Iran had died, because at his command 40,000 people died and executions are on-going.
"It's not just in Iran but in different places within the region that we have loved ones and family members and close friends living. We're concerned about them but what's interesting is that there's a communication blackout with Iran. The Government has cut off all sources and lines of communications so I've not been able to have any sort of communication with family members.
"On the odd occasion when one person is able to connect to the internet for a short time, the message that we get is 'we're all fine. Please whatever you do, ask the Americans and the Israeli troops to continue fighting on our behalf and if we die in all of this, that's fine as long as the country's open because we're already paying a huge price.
"The messages that we're getting from inside are saying 'it's scary but we want it to continue because we want this regime to go.
"People have paid a huge price in Iran for freedom and many of them haven't been able to see a free Iran. They were born under oppression and they were killed at the hands of this regime. It's a price we're continuing to pay as we're unable to hear from them.
"It's very clear what people inside the country are asking and they're all shouting one name - the Crown Prince in exile Reza Pahlavi - and saying he's the legitimate leader for this transition, so what we're hoping is that the current regime that's occupying the nation would stand down and hand over the power.
"Our ultimate hope is that there will be a regime change which means prosperity for the people of Iran but also for the neighbouring nations and stability in the region as well, because the people of Iran want peace and prosperity, not just for themselves for the neighbouring nations.
"I just want to urge the UK Government to take decisive action; to close the Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy, to recognise the atrocities that are happening inside the country and to take action because people may think this isn't our war."
Last night, the first charter rescue plane was due to take off from Oman to bring Britons home, with two more due to take off in the coming days.