The Iranian-American Community of Wisconsin (IAC-WI) expressed happiness about the death of an Iran's top military leader.
The United States airstrike in Iraq killed General Qassem Soelimani early Friday morning. Ali Soltani, Vice President of the IAC-WI says he was up all night following the news.
"People are happy, Soltani said. "Anything that disturbs this regime is something people welcome."
Soltani moved to the United States in 1978 and has never been back to Iran. He arrived to get a better education and to escape what he says was an already violent and deadly regime. Over the last 40 years, he says it's only gotten worse and Soelimani was a large part of the devolution of the government in recent years.
Charles Benson interviews NBC's Hans Nichols about President Trump's response to the U.S. airstrikes:
"He personally, like Hitler, didn't kill anybody personally probably," Soltani said. "But he ordered a lot of it. He orchestrated a lot of killings. Half a million people in Syria have been killed because of him."
He understands fears of Iran retaliating against the United States, but he doesn't think it will amass to World War III. He supports this airstrike because he feels like the current regime is starting to dissolve.
"We're hoping this is the beginning of the end," Soltani said. "A lot of people supporting this regime are dropping out. I think the United States needs to stay firm because these are like bullies. The more you back out, the more they come forward."
So now, Soltani says the idea of traveling back to his home country after 40 years, suddenly seems possible.
"I was there until I was 20," Soltani said. "I'm 62 now. I would like to go back and see my parents and see everything. Every day is getting closer. The people of Iran are rising up."
