Here & Now Anytime Iranians in the U.S. fear for family back home
Mar 4, 2026
Susan DelBene, DCCC chair working to flip competitive House seats. Jeh Johnson, former DHS secretary and homeland security analyst. They discuss escalating U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, civilian dangers and internet blackouts in Iran. They also cover homeland threat assessments, risks of retaliatory attacks, de-escalation training, and strategies to win purple districts with local messaging.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Journalist's Family Cut Off During Strikes
- Yeganeh Rezaian described personal fear and family separation after Iran's leader was killed.
- She lost contact when Iran shut down internet and phones, and her paralyzed sister could not flee if a bomb landed near their neighborhood.
Joy Over Leader's Death Overshadowed By Repression
- Rezaian felt initial happiness at the dictator's death but stressed the human cost outweighs any short-term celebration.
- She warned that security forces immediately suppressed celebrations with threats, checkpoints, arrests, and shootings.
Regime Change Won't Immediately Free Iranians
- Rezaian warned that regime change will not be immediate and cautioned against assuming the regime will quickly collapse.
- She emphasized Iranian civilians are already paying with their lives while planners debate plans B.