Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺

Activist, CoFounder & Vice President of @AICAlliance_ CoFounder & Treasurer of Arta Iranian Cultural Centre Inc. Board Member of MCCSA

[AICA - Australian Iranian Community Alliance @AICAlliance_]

When a country is reduced to its government, reality is distorted.
Iran is not the Islamic Republic, and its people are not defined by it.
This letter is the response of the Iranian-Australian community.

#iranianaustralian
#Iran
#Australia
#multiculturalaustralia

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

We warned about this for years.

The crisis created by the Islamic Republic — and the struggle of the Iranian people against it — will never remain confined within Iran’s borders.

A regime built on repression at home and destabilisation abroad cannot be contained. Eventually, it spreads instability far beyond its own region.

Iranians are not only fighting for their own freedom.
They are standing against a system that fuels conflict, extremism, and insecurity across the Middle East and beyond.

A world without the Islamic Republic would be a safer and more stable world.

But for years, too many chose to ignore the warning.

Now the consequences are becoming impossible to overlook.

Now the world sees how central Iran has become to global security and energy stability.
Now the nature of the Islamic Republic is clearer than ever.

The responsibility is no longer only on the Iranian people.

The international community must recognise that supporting the Iranian people and confronting this regime is essential for long-term global stability.

A free and democratic Iran would not only transform the future of its own people.
It would bring stability to the Middle East and strengthen security for the entire world.

PS: Around 230 oil tankers remain loaded and waiting to leave the Persian Gulf, as access continues to be restricted despite the U.S.–Iran ceasefire.

#Hürmüz
#Irán
#IranIsraelWar
@Jerusalem_Post
@australian
@guardian
@abcnews
@SenatorWong
@dfat

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

The #Islamic_Republic will never voluntarily abandon its proxy network in the Middle East.

These groups are not a side policy. They are a core pillar of the regime’s survival strategy: projecting power beyond its borders, destabilising the region, and exporting crises to stay in control at home.

Any analysis that ignores this reality misunderstands the nature of the regime.

#IranWar‌
#Israël
#Irán

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

چیزی به نام #آتش_بس وجود نخواهد داشت.
#ایران
#اسراییل

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

For years I’ve said this in interviews: conflict in the Middle East never stays there.

When tensions rise around Iran and the Persian Gulf, the impact reaches the global economy and people’s daily lives everywhere.

Now that fuel prices are rising, many are suddenly discovering where Iran is on the map.

But the real problem is deeper.
As long as the regime in Tehran bases its policies on regional destabilisation, the cycle of crisis will continue.

Real stability will only come when the Iranian people can determine their country’s future.
#straitOfHormuz
#IranWar‌
#IranRevolution2026‌

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

The blanket suspension of valid visitor visas for Iranian passport holders raises serious questions about policy consistency.

Australian families are being separated, despite holding lawful visas, while other crises have seen more facilitative responses.

We support strong borders. But decisions must be transparent, proportionate, and consistent with Australia’s humanitarian values.

There must be a clear, compassionate pathway for families affected.

@Jerusalem_Post
@theheraldsun
@TheSunUS
@SenatorCash
@nytimes
@nytimes
@australian
#Visitorvisa600

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

AUSTRALIAN IRANIAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE (AICA)
MEDIA STATEMENT
Date: 26 March 2026
Subject: Temporary suspension of travel for Visitor visa (Subclass 600) holders linked to Iranian passports
The Australian Iranian Community Alliance expresses serious concern regarding the Federal Government's decision to suspend travel for most Iranian passport holders holding valid Visitor visas (subclass 600).
The Government has stated that the measure is intended to protect migration integrity due to concerns that some temporary visa holders may now be less likely to depart Australia as a result of the conflict in Iran. While recognising the Government's responsibility to manage migration risks, AICA is concerned that the policy appears to be based primarily on a precautionary assumption rather than publicly demonstrated evidence of significant visa misuse or migration pressure.
Visitor visas are granted following detailed individual assessment of an applicant's genuine intention to stay temporarily. Restricting the practical use of visas after they have been lawfully issued represents a significant departure from this established case-by-case framework. Such a shift risks undermining public confidence in the consistency, fairness and predictability of Australia's migration system.
The Government has indicated that more than 7,000 temporary visas had already been granted in circumstances that have since changed. However, many affected visa holders now face the real prospect that their valid visas may expire during the restriction period. This may require them to submit new visa applications and incur additional financial costs despite full compliance with visa conditions. As visa application charges are generally non-refundable, the practical burden of this policy may fall directly on ordinary families.
AICA further notes that parents of Australian citizens are not automatically exempt from the travel suspension. Instead, they must seek permission through discretionary processes such as applying for a Permitted Travel Certificate. While the Government has indicated that sympathetic consideration may be shown in such cases, the absence of a clear exemption creates ongoing uncertainty and may still result in prolonged family separation.
Although exemptions and compassionate pathways exist, these mechanisms remain limited, discretionary and subject to uncertainty. In practice, affected individuals may be required to re-establish the same temporary intent that had already been accepted when their visas were originally granted.
AICA also observes a difference between this restrictive approach and facilitative migration measures adopted by Australia in response to other international crises, including priority processing arrangements and temporary humanitarian pathways introduced during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The community expects greater transparency regarding the policy criteria guiding these differing responses.
The Alliance further highlights the tension between this policy and the Government's public statements that Australia stands with the people of Iran during a period of instability. Migration responses in such contexts are expected by affected communities to be proportionate, evidence-based and humane.

[AICA - Australian Iranian Community Alliance @AICAlliance_]

AUSTRALIAN IRANIAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE (AICA)
MEDIA STATEMENT
Date: 26 March 2026
Subject: Temporary suspension of travel for Visitor visa (Subclass 600) holders linked to Iranian passports
@australian
@guardian
@SkyNewsAust
#Visitorvisa600
#IranianAustralian

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

Grateful to Senator Penny Wong for accepting our invitation and joining the Iranian-Australian community at our Nowruz event.
In difficult times for our community, her presence and her words of solidarity, recognition of grief, resilience and hope meant a great deal.
Her speech acknowledged the deeper meaning of Nowruz as a symbol of renewal, remembrance and continuing to stand together.

Thank you for standing with our community.
#Nowruz_Pirooz
#نوروز_پیروز

از سناتور پنی وانگ صمیمانه سپاسگزارم که دعوت ما را پذیرفتند و در برنامه نوروز در کنار جامعه ایرانی–استرالیایی حضور یافتند.
در روزهای دشوار برای جامعه ما، حضور و سخنان ایشان درباره اندوه، تاب‌آوری و امید، پیام مهمی از همبستگی و دیده‌شدن صدای جامعه ما بود.
سخنرانی ایشان همچنین به معنای عمیق نوروز به‌عنوان نمادی از نوزایی، یادآوری و ادامه ایستادگی اشاره داشت.

سپاس از اینکه در کنار جامعه ما ایستادید.
نوروز مبارک 🌱

#نوروز #جامعه_ایرانی_استرالیایی #همبستگی #امید

@SenatorWong
@SBS
@australian
@sagovau
@ausgov
@AlboMP

[Craig Foster @Craig_Foster]

Three imperatives regarding the Iranian National Women’s Team:

1. The players who have sought protection from Australia must be able to access legal advice independent of the Australian government. This is a fundamental part of refugee rights;

2. No player should be in a position whereby they leave Australia without having a safe, confidential opportunity to understand and exercise their rights and decide of their own volition; and

3. For any players that do choose or are forced to return to Iran, FIFA is obliged to apply its leverage to the Iranian Federation such that there is a clear understanding that any harm emanating from their actions within a FIFA tournament whether to they, or their families, would be considered a grave breach of a member’s duties of protection.

It’s important in that event, that while the eyes of the world are elsewhere, the eyes of the football world remain on the returning Iranian team members.

And that accountability is a given.

It would be good for any football organisations or fan groups around the world to write to FIFA in this regard.

There must be an expectation that FIFA will urgently communicate the need for their safe return.

And given the public threats against them, the Iranian Federation has a positive duty to ensure their safety.

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

#IranianWomenFootball @dfat @ausgov

[AICA - Australian Iranian Community Alliance @AICAlliance_]

We’ve informed the government that the Iranian-Australian community stands ready to support the players if needed — including safe accommodation and financial assistance.
@dfat @ausgov

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

Reliable but unconfirmed report: #Mojtaba_Khamenei died last night at Sina Hospital, Tehran.

#IranWar
#IranIsraelWar
#IranRevolution2026

خبر موثق ولی تایید نشده:
#مجتبی_خامنه‌ای دیشب در #بیمارستان_سینا #تهران مرده.

#ایران
#اسراییل

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

We will build our country again!
The regime must go!
#Iran
#IranWar
#IranIsraelConflict

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

Unbelievable!!

[7NEWS Sydney @7NewsSydney]

While millions around the world are celebrating the death of the ayatollah, several Shia mosques across Sydney are now planning to honour the former Iranian leader with three days of mourning.

That has sparked outrage among politicians and the Jewish community, with Premier Chris Minns calling it “atrocious”. #nswpol

[AICA - Australian Iranian Community Alliance @AICAlliance_]

AICA Statement - Developments in Iran Following U.S.- Israeli Military Action and the Reported Death of #Ali_Khamenei
1 March 2026
#Iran
@ausgov
@dfat

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

#پایان_دیکتاتور

چه زجرها کشیدیم،
چه خون‌ها خوردیم،
چه جانهای عزیزی را از دست دادیم،

تا خبر مرگت را بشنویم.
حق ماست که خوشحال باشیم و پاکوبی کنیم.

این حق ماست.
همانطور که پایان جمهوری اسلامی و دنیای بهتر حق ماست.

#ایران

#EndOfTheDictator

What suffering we endured.
What blood we swallowed.
What precious lives we lost

just to hear the news of your death.

It is our right to be happy.
It is our right to celebrate.

This is our right.
Just as the end of the Islamic Republic
and a better future
is our right.

#Iran

[Fox News @FoxNews]

BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed dead, @TreyYingst reports.

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

#مردم ایران،

#علی_خامنه‌ای_مُرد.
مردی که با امضاهایش حکم اعدام داد و گلوله را مشروع کرد و با سیاست‌هایش هزاران ایرانی را به خاک سپرد.

او رفت؛
اما مادران داغدار هنوز هستند.
خاوران هنوز هست.
آبان هنوز هست.
چشم‌های از دست‌رفته، زندان‌های پر، جوانان کشته‌شده هنوز در حافظه‌ی این ملت زنده‌اند.

به خانواده‌هایی که سال‌ها زیر سایه‌ی این استبداد سوختند:
امروز نام او به تاریخ پیوست، اما نام عزیزان شما به وجدان ایران پیوند خورده است.

هیچ #دیکتاتوری جاودانه نیست.
هیچ سرکوبی بی‌پاسخ نمی‌ماند.

این پایان یک حاکم بود،
اما پایان دادخواهی نیست.
پایان مبارزه برای آزادی نیست.

ایران از زیر سایه‌ی ترس عبور خواهد کرد.
و آینده، دیگر با امضای یک نفر نوشته نخواهد شد.

[Suren Edgar 🇮🇷🇦🇺 @suren_ed]

My comments on the recent developments in Iran have now been published.

At the same time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that Australia supports the joint US–Israel strikes aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons and threatening international peace and security.

The first reported strike targeted sites near offices associated with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

For Iranian-Australians, this is not abstract geopolitics. It is deeply personal. Communication with Iran remains unstable. Internet disruptions and unreliable phone lines are making it extremely difficult to reach family members.

Inside Iran, videos emerging despite restrictions show a range of reactions — from fear and uncertainty to visible relief among those who see this as a moment of accountability for years of repression.

Link:
https://t.co/vVbzqwcuV6

#Iran
#سپاه_تروریستی_پاسداران

[Daily Mail Australia @DailyMailAU]

Albo declares his full support for US air strikes on Iran - after the Islamic dictatorship 'directed' at least TWO attacks on Australian soil: 'State sponsor of terrorism' https://t.co/NCNrzBJUMg

[AICA - Australian Iranian Community Alliance @AICAlliance_]

We welcome the Prime Minister’s clear stance in standing with the people of Iran and holding the regime accountable.
#Iran
@AlboMP
@SenatorWong