Attaque contre l'Iran : opération "Fureur épique" | Tracks East | ARTE

The US-Israeli attack on Iran launches 'Operation Epic Fury' (American designation) or 'Lion's Roar' (Israeli designation). The military operation is planned for 4-5 weeks with potential to extend much longer.

Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, is declared dead following the attack. He led a system aimed at destroying the State of Israel and destabilizing the West.

• Iranians celebrate globally in response to the announcement • Regime supporters organize official mourning ceremonies • International media coverage of widespread Iranian reactions

Despite claims this is not a regime change war, the regime has factually changed. Questions persist about whether external powers genuinely care about the Iranian people or only their own interests.

• President Trump declares 'Your moment has arrived' to the Iranian people • Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses Iranians in Farsi, urging them to seize the opportunity for freedom • Netanyahu frames the moment as occurring once per generation

Leaders urge millions of Iranians to take to the streets and overthrow the regime of terror that has made their lives bitter. This is presented as a historic chance for liberation.

Iranians have previously attempted uprisings multiple times at enormous cost with no external support. Current vulnerabilities of leadership do not make them less dangerous; they become more so.

Government sends SMS to population stating any movement threatening security will be considered direct collaboration with the enemy. The regime aims to prevent internal resistance from adding to external military attacks.

January protests resulted in brutal military suppression with thousands, possibly tens of thousands of deaths. Internet blackouts prevented global visibility of security forces killing their own citizens.

• Survivors experience severe trauma and sleep disturbances • Loss of appetite and inability to engage in normal activities • Many require therapy to process the violence witnessed • Some described the January period as 'war before the war'

Merge Terani, a musician and hip-hop artist, was in Iran during January crackdowns. After a 3-day internet blackout, he was the only person able to escape, immediately recording emotional video testimony of the 'hell' he witnessed and the city transformed into a war zone.

Rap is banned in Iran because it violates government laws and contradicts regime ideology. Numerous talented artists remain imprisoned with uncertain release dates.

Merge Terani lived in London for 25 years as a married father. He typically returns to Iran 2-3 times yearly to visit his father and brother, with January 5 being his last arrival.

• Arrived Monday, January 5; protests began Thursday evening around 8pm • Raisi called people to streets for January 7 mobilization with unprecedented response • Merge encouraged friends to stay strong by participating on January 8 • Witnessed security forces with loaded weapons facing ordinary citizens

Took photographs as proof of what he witnessed. Immediately shared evidence with the world upon escaping. Now accused by Iranian state media of working for Mossad and CIA, though he simply seeks freedom and change.

Fled first to Turkey then London due to Iranian-British dual nationality. Wanted to be the voice for Iranians who currently have no voice. Believes external intervention could change the situation.

Merge reconnects with a childhood friend from the same neighborhood after 20 years of separation. Both believe this chance meeting is a sign from the universe that good things will happen.

Ramene, the reconnected friend, dies shortly after. Merge is shocked, having felt immense hope and happiness before his friend's death.

Many Iranians in exile for years or decades share Merge's feelings - dreaming of another Iran. The loss felt by those separated from home reflects the suffering of the nation itself.

Being an Iranian journalist carries heavy responsibilities in covering their country's news. The regime intensely detests those who report from abroad about internal conditions.

• In 1970s Iran, women frequented bars and nightclubs • Women lived normal lives like Western women • No government control over clothing or dress codes • Political situation was already tense with imprisonments and executions

In 1979, despite Ayatollah Khomeini's pre-revolution promises to respect freedoms, he immediately required women to wear hijab. Secular principles were replaced with Islamic law.

Sima Sabetian arrived in UK in 2004 for studies and remained because she feels like a full human being as a woman. She now animates a daily show covering Iran's news to mostly Iran-based subscribers.

Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah, calls for democratic future and has never returned to Iran since the revolution. He represents an alternative vision of Iranian governance for those seeking systemic change.

The crown prince called for action on January 8-9. Many interpreted this as a clear signal for protests that same evening, with crowds chanting his name and even non-supporters acclaiming him to focus on regime overthrow.

President Trump explicitly wrote on Truth Social that if the regime killed Iranians, he would attack them. This statement preceded massive January protests.

• Do US and Israel genuinely care about the Iranian people? • Is the Islamic Republic truly dying? • What does post-regime Iran look like? • Does the Iranian diaspora want monarchical restoration?

Most Iranians hope for regime collapse, but many question whether they aspire to monarchy's return. These complex political questions remain unresolved amid the ongoing conflict.

Persian rugs are handwoven over weeks, absorbing everything happening in the world - mourning, injustice, fear, and hope. Each knot tells a story, making carpets both decorative objects and witnesses to history.

Generations of Iranian voices sing through music what they cannot say openly. The art form becomes a vehicle for suppressed expression and emotional testimony.

• War rages in one's homeland while family status remains unknown • Oscillation between grief and moments of joy and dance • Complex emotions about regime leader's death and hope for freedom • Simultaneous anguish for families remaining in Iran

Artists like Faravas and Madanie perform at events like 'Iran and Love,' highlighting women's crucial influence on Iran's future. Women in exile continue cultural resistance through music and activism despite persecution they faced at home.

Children of diaspora grew up listening to 1960s-70s Iranian music their parents played before the 1979 revolution. Mothers taught them lyrics, creating strong bonds to Iranian music and culture.

Phone conversations with Iran are complicated due to mobile phone surveillance in the streets. Family members fear surveillance, creating unbearable anxiety. People cannot speak freely under these conditions.

• German Iranian diaspora is complex and delicate • Divergent political opinions about Iran's future governance • Everyone holds views on who should lead or hold power • These decisions ultimately belong only to the Iranian people

Community is more united than ever but under tension. Uncertainty about what happens after the Mullah regime falls and when return becomes possible creates anxiety about post-revolution Iran.

Both the Islamic Republic and Iranian opposition share misogyny. This common element represents a fundamental challenge to women's liberation regardless of regime change.

Madanie posted a video where viewers lower a finger for each activity completed. Cycling, swimming with family - all forbidden in Iran. Video reached over 10 million views, shocking audiences with women's restricted freedoms.

• Women cannot cycle or swim freely • Basic daily activities are prohibited • If forced to lower a finger for each forbidden activity, two hands insufficient • Women's most ordinary actions are criminalized by regime

In 2022, Gina Mahsa Amini was murdered by authorities for improper hijab wearing. Her death transformed childhood Iranian memories into political and painful awakenings, connecting diaspora members to the courage and sacrifice of Iranians seeking freedom.

Ra Scher, 24, was arrested during 2022 protests simply for wanting to live free. Despite being a political prisoner, he was later forced to leave Iran as he could no longer work due to his imprisonment history.

September 16, 2022 marked an event that prompted unified Iranian action. This sparked the massive 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement everyone now knows.

• First protest attended with friend Mohammad Medikarami • Young people were killed simply for protesting in streets • Authorities responded to Gina Amini memorial with gunfire and assassinations • Home was raided the morning after returning from protest

Armed men entered his bedroom while sleeping and took him to headquarters. All arrested had blindfolds and could only rely on sounds to understand surroundings. Friend Mohammad Medikarami was also arrested but communication was impossible.

• Subjected to extended interrogation while blindfolded and facing a wall • Beat, humiliated, and insulted throughout interrogation • Authorities attempted to break him mentally and extract confessions • Forced to confess to and sign admissions of acts he did not commit

Trial was a public, filmed spectacle resembling a murder trial. Atmosphere was extremely tense with predetermined outcomes. Five main defendants received death sentences; others received 25-year sentences.

Ra repeatedly thought authorities could not execute his friends Medikarami and Sayed throughout the trial. Yet they carried out executions. Many Iranians share his devastation at the loss of these young activists.

• Spent nearly 7 months imprisoned without understanding reason for release • Believes authorities exploited the case for media purposes • Regime used terror and fear to attempt street suppression • Now living in Germany after being forced to leave Iran

Ra reconnects with fellow inmate Berat Conar, accused and imprisoned together at Karaj prison. Both are relieved and overjoyed to see each other alive.

• Friends are physically healthy but psychologically damaged • Prisons remain overcrowded with insufficient sleeping space • Shared trauma bonds survivors but healing is slow • Both released but carrying deep psychological wounds

Ra learned that protests resumed following his release. He deeply fears numerous lives will be sacrificed again in continued demonstrations against the regime.

Ra hopes winter ends soon and long-awaited spring arrives. Spring represents renewal and Nowruz (Persian New Year) traditionally signals new beginnings for Iranians.

Spring flowers like jasmine appear at all florists. For Iranians, spring announces renewal and Persian New Year despite nothing being normal.

While spring traditionally symbolizes new beginnings and hope for Iranians, the father's homeland is ravaged by war. The contrast between seasonal renewal and ongoing conflict is stark and painful.

War rages in Iran affecting family members whose status remains unknown. The documentary leaves viewers with uncertainty about outcomes and futures for Iranians.

Through Mina Richman's personal narrative framing the documentary, viewers understand that behind political analysis are real families, artists, activists, and ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances and loss.