The missiles that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei set off celebrations in the streets of Tehran, Toronto and other Canadian cities. But not everyone was cheering. As U.S. and Israeli strikes dismantle Iran’s military infrastructure and end the reign of a cleric who ruled with an iron fist for more than three decades, the Iranian-Canadian community is split between relief and rage.
Most Iranian-Canadians agree the Islamic Republic was a repressive regime that terrorized its own people. But they sharply disagree on whether the strikes were justified, whether they will ultimately help ordinary Iranians and what Canada’s response should be.
Shermineh Esmati-Novak, CEO and founder of NOVASHER Ventures, helped organize a Toronto rally celebrating the strikes. She says the attack represents an overdue reckoning. Samira Mohyeddin, journalist and founder of On the Line Media, calls it an illegal war paid for with civilian lives.
Samira Mohyeddin? The Star will platform any rabid “progressive” lunatic.
Samira Mohyeddin —aka the Butch
Of Tehran — who once tried to claim I was homophobic for criticizing her ties with Hamas, tries a new tactic! I hate myself because I support the only democracy in the Mideast!
Omg the woman is f—-ed in the head. https://t.co/LtyRzNhKfj— Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) May 30, 2025
This piece was originally titled Should Canada celebrate or condemn the strikes on Iran?
