After his nephew Erfan Faraji was killed in protests in Iran, Majid Moghadasi received condolences from President Trump. (AFP)
Who was Erfan Faraji?
Majid Moghadasi, an Iranian American residing in Woodland Hills, informed The Post that his nephew, Erfan Faraji, lost his life on January 8 during anti-government demonstrations that shook the Islamic Republic.
He died merely two days after he turned 18. Faraji’s passing coincides with the regime’s crackdown that resulted in the deaths of up to 36,500 people in January.
Estimates of fatalities during the regime’s January suppression of the unrest range from 7,000 to 36,000, The Post reported.
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Two days after he learned of his nephew’s death, Moghadasi stated that he contacted the White House directly, urgently requesting assistance.
Moghadasi’s heartfelt appeal recounted the tragic incident in which his nephew was shot dead in the streets of Shahr-e Rey, located south of Tehran.
“He was an innocent teenager with dreams and a future ahead of him. His only act was standing up against injustice,” Moghadasi stated. He further slammed the Iranian authorities, saying that they had reacted to the protests “not with dialogue, but with live ammunition.”
He called upon Trump to maintain a strong position against Iran.
Trump reacts
Just a few days later, on January 13, Trump responded, stating that he and the First Lady were “devastated” by the tragedy.
“Erfan will be held in my heart, and I promise never to forget or forgive the terrible events that took him from us,” the letter reads.
“Please know that my Administration will always stand with the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and democracy.”
The President also committed to ongoing efforts to hold Iran’s leadership accountable, mentioning that his administration was “working diligently to ensure that the Ayatollah and his murderous regime are brought to justice.”
Moghadasi expressed gratitude for the president’s compassionate words and conveyed his trust in the president’s decision-making. Regarding the letter, he felt immense joy upon reading it.
