Washington, D.C. — The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) stands with the people of Iran – who for decades have endured repression, imprisonment, and violence – and who continue to demand dignity, fundamental rights, and a future of their own choosing. These military developments follow an unprecedented lethal crackdown on protests in Iran that has left the nation – and Iranians around the world – in shock. In this uncertain moment, our focus remains on the Iranian people: the lives at stake and the millions who have repeatedly made clear that they seek accountable governance and the ability to determine their own destiny. The protection of civilian life must be paramount. So too must the aspirations of the Iranian people to determine their own future grounded in dignity, human rights, and freedom.