Iranian drones hit the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, while hundreds are reported dead in Iran. (Image Credit: The Canadian Press)

By Nigel Maxwell

International politics

‘The national integrity is at risk right now’: Sask. lawyer responds to U.S. incursion in Iran

Mar 3, 2026 | 10:40 AM

A woman who moved from Iran to Canada two years ago, and currently works in Saskatchewan as a lawyer, says the situation in her home country is far more complicated than what’s being portrayed in the media and not every Iranian is in favor of an American-led incursion.

The woman who asked to be identified only as S.M. out of safety concerns for both herself and her family who still reside in Iran, stated her belief democracy must come from within the country and past examples have shown that to be true.

“Just look at Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, are they happy, are the democratic after the overthrowing of their dictators? I believe not,” she said.

The woman added history has shown every time a dictator is overthrown, there are long periods of instability and the people pay the price.

“So many people are worried, not because they are fans of the current regime but because they are worried about their country,” she said.

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Meanwhile the latest war in the Middle East has escalated further on its fourth day. Iran struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Washington began to pull many staff out of the region. The United States and Israel battered Iran with airstrikes in what American President Donald Trump suggested is just the start of a war that has severely disrupted the world’s supply of oil and gas, international shipping, and air travel.

While acknowledging she was not a fan of the unpopular dictatorial regime, S.M. said it brought some stability to the country and now many ethnic groups are threatening separation.

 “The national integrity is at risk right now,” she said.

Authorities have reported hundreds of people have been killed — the majority in Iran. The woman who confirmed her own parents live in the capital with her bedridden grandmother, are unable to leave and have related to her the capital is being attacked by missiles in multiple directions.

“They were OK but they told me that the bombardment is heavily going on and so many residential places, military locations have been demolished so far,” she said adding human casualties not being reported accurately.

“I believe no where in the capital is safe now.”

On Sunday, as part of a rally outside Regina’s Legislative Building, people danced on the flag of Iran’s Islamic Republic, waving Israeli, Canadian and American flags and chants of “USA! USA! USA!” and “Thank you Bibi (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu)” echoed through the cold afternoon air.

For the members of the Iranian community in Saskatchewan who gathered on Sunday, the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marked a turning point not just politically, but personally.

“We are here to celebrate the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran,” Nasire Ziba said. “We are celebrating because they were responsible for the suffering of the entire nation for almost over last 47 years.”

Ziba described the emotional toll of separation from family members still living in Iran.

“I’ve been here for 10 years, haven’t been able to go back to Iran and visit my family,” he said. “I have been crying every day for the last two months.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from 980 CJME and the Canadian Press