For Immediate Release: On the Escalating Conflict in Iran

SYDNEY, NSW - 01/03/2026: The Assyrian National Council – Australia (ANCA) issues this statement in response to the rapidly escalating military confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Multiple airstrikes have reportedly struck Tehran and other regions, with both the United States and Israel confirming active military engagement.

The Assyrians are a trans-national ethnic group, Indigenous to northwestern Iran and have inhabited the region for millennia.

Under the Islamic Republic, the Assyrians have endured systemic discrimination and oppressive policies that have suppressed their rights to self-determination.

Prior to 1979, the Assyrian population in Iran exceeded 200,000; today, fewer than 10,000 remain.

This dramatic decline reflects a long pattern of:

•          Restrictions imposed under Islamic Sharia law

•          Suppression of Christian religious practice and cultural expression

•          Political marginalisation and exclusion from decision-making

•          Pressure on Assyrian schools, churches, and community institutions

•          Emigration driven by fear, insecurity, and lack of equal rights

Together, these conditions have placed the Assyrian community on the brink of disappearance within Iran.

The ANCA further notes that the consequences of the Iranian regime’s policies have not been confined within its borders.

The regime’s interventions into the geo-political landscape of the Middle East, support for armed groups, and destabilising strategies have contributed to insecurity and violence affecting Indigenous Assyrian and other communities.

These dynamics have accelerated displacement, weakened historic Assyrian presence, and deepened the humanitarian challenges faced by vulnerable communities throughout the region.

The ANCA recognises that the present conflict is unfolding against a backdrop of decades of internal repression, regional destabilisation, and documented human rights violations by the Islamic Republic.

In this context, the ANCA:

•          Acknowledges the stated objectives of the United States and Israel to confront threats posed by the Islamic Republic and to deter further destabilisation in the Middle East

•          Recognises the suffering of the Iranian people, including Assyrians, who have endured decades of repression, economic hardship, and denial of fundamental freedoms

•          Affirms the right of the Assyrian people to live in safety, dignity, and equality, free from religious discrimination and cultural erasure

•          Emphasises that any future political transformation in Iran must include clear constitutional protections for Indigenous and minority communities, including the Assyrian people

The ANCA remains committed to defending the rights, cultural identity, and historical presence of the Assyrian nation.

As the situation evolves, the ANCA will continue to advocate for the protection of Assyrians in Iran, the preservation of their cultural and religious heritage, and lobby for a future in which Assyrians can live freely and securely in their ancestral lands.

In light of the historic moment now unfolding, the ANCA expresses its hope that these developments will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the peoples of Iran, one grounded in freedom, accountability, and respect for human dignity.

The ANCA recognises the determination of the international efforts led by the United States and Israel to confront a regime whose policies have brought decades of repression and instability.

In this spirit, we extend our solidarity to the Iranian people, including the Assyrian community, in their aspiration for a future defined by liberty, justice, and peaceful coexistence.

The ANCA expresses its sincere hope that the Iranian people may soon witness the dawn of a new era one that will be remembered as the moment when the path toward freedom and national renewal became possible.

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