The current climate is unusual.

“You find yourself viewing clips of your compatriots demonstrating immense bravery, fully aware of the grave dangers posed by a regime that shows no hesitation in harming protestors.”

Mahsa Alimardani, an Iranian based in London, expresses a “sense of anxiety” regarding both her family and her homeland amid what she labels as “unprecedented” turmoil in Iran.

“There exists a cautious kind of hope that Iranians have often been hesitant to embrace, but it is intertwined with anxiety and fear about the potential consequences for loved ones involved in the protests.

“It’s a complex array of hope, fear, and various emotions,” she explained to the BBC.

Alimardani, who is affiliated with the human rights organization Witness, recounted her last conversation with her relatives in Tehran on Thursday, during which they were expecting an “uprising.”

“We talked about how they should stock up on groceries and medications because we anticipated that normal operations would be disrupted.

“A call for a large-scale uprising had been circulating for several days, so many were getting ready and feeling excited, even in the face of tangible risks.”

As protests against the government intensified, there were reports of violence against demonstrators by security forces.

However, Alimardani has no knowledge of whether her family members have been involved in the protests, as she has been unable to reach them since internet access was cut off in Iran late on Thursday.

“It’s been an ongoing blackout,” she stated.

“The WhatsApp messages still show just one check mark; they haven’t been delivered.

“It’s incredibly anxiety-inducing not having access to information, and not knowing if your loved ones participated in the protests or if they are safe.

“There are signs of significant violence and a considerable death toll, which is terrifying, particularly knowing that people were eager to join the demonstrations, displaying remarkable bravery that often comes with grave consequences—and that is deeply concerning.

“But for those of us outside of Iran, while we are physically safe and fortunate, our hearts remain with those in Iran.”

For Mohamad, who operates the Persian restaurant chain Naroon in London, the communication disruption in Iran brings significant stress and concern.

“My parents, sister, and all my relatives and friends are there.

“We can’t reach anyone, not even through regular landlines; we haven’t received any updates since everything was shut down.”

He noted that around 40 to 50 of his Iranian employees are “facing similar situations.”

“They cannot contact anyone in Iran, and it’s clear they are constantly anxious, trying to gather even the slightest news from their families.

“This is an incredibly challenging moment for any Iranian living abroad.”

Another Iranian woman residing in London, Roya Pirae, shared with the BBC that this surge of protests is a painful reminder of her mother’s death.

Pirae recounted that her mother, Minoo Majidi, was fatally shot by authorities during the Woman Life Freedom protests in 2022.

She fled to the UK with her family after an image she shared, standing over her mother’s grave with her head shaved, went viral.

“We are reliving those days,” she remarked.

Yet amidst her sorrow, she holds onto hope.

“These uprisings are ongoing and interconnected. We continue to share the same objective.

“We are still yearning for freedom.”

Additional reporting by Nora Fakim.