Les bombardements entre Israël et l’Iran se poursuivent depuis ce vendredi 13 juin. Depuis cinq jours, le bilan des morts s’alourdit, et, avec lui, l’angoisse de la diaspora iranienne localisée dans le 15e arrondissement de Paris.
La réponse reçue dans cette épicerie iranienne est la même que dans les autres boutiques du quartier. «Je n’ai pas envie de parler de ça», soupire la vendeuse en prenant sa tête entre ses mains. Sur le trottoir d’en face, le gérant d’une autre supérette iranienne se contentera, lui, d’un «non» à la question de s’il souhaite parler du conflit Israël-Iran.
Dans le quartier qui s’étale autour de la rue des Entrepreneurs (15e arrondissement), surnommée «Little Iran» pour sa forte concentration de commerce persan, l’émotion est vive. Autant que la lassitude de devoir affronter les journalistes ces derniers jours.
The atmosphere in the «Little Iran» neighborhood of the 15th arrondissement of Paris is tense as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. Shopkeepers and residents are on edge, with many reluctant to speak to journalists about the situation. Reza, one of the few merchants willing to share her thoughts since June 13th, recalls being bombarded by media inquiries, first from television crews, then newspapers, and back to television.
The night in question saw Iran being attacked by Israel, claiming to have killed high-ranking officials and damaged nuclear facilities. Five days later, Israeli airstrikes continue, with at least 224 casualties reported, 90% of them civilians according to the Iranian Ministry of Health. In retaliation, Iran has reported 13 deaths in Israel.
Reza reflects on the power of imagination, noting that her family in Tehran is trying to reassure her. She contemplates the dangers of being in the midst of the conflict, expressing a desire to be in Iran where she could be of help. Meanwhile, Ahmad, sitting at a bustling Persian restaurant nearby, acknowledges the anxiety felt by those in the neighborhood. The lack of constant news due to internet disruptions adds to the difficulty of the situation for many.
Beyond the gravity of the conflict, the silence of residents in the neighborhood may stem from fear of their government. Both Ahmad and Reza left Iran due to the regime’s oppressive nature, with over 975 executions reported by the Islamic Republic in 2024. Speaking out against the state is risky, as it could have consequences for their families back in Iran, including imprisonment or worse.
Despite their concerns about the regime, neither Ahmad nor Reza wish for war. They acknowledge the need to pressure the government for change but fear the impact on innocent civilians. Ahmad highlights the plight of prisoners and the targeting of young protesters and artists as examples of the regime’s brutality.
As tensions rise and the conflict continues, the residents of «Little Iran» in Paris grapple with the uncertainty of the situation and the potential consequences for their homeland. The fear, the memories of past atrocities, and the desire for peace all weigh heavily on their minds as they navigate the complexities of being caught between two nations at war. «En fin de compte, ce sont toujours les citoyens qui en subissent les conséquences», tranche Ahmed.
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