This is the full interview of Arezou Bagan, the founder of Voice of Iran – WA, with King 5 Seattle about the Islamic Republic Soccer team pulling out of the World Cup.

” I just finished my interview with King 5. Even if they only use a few seconds, I want you to know the full truth of what I spoke into that camera today. This is for the 40,000 beautiful souls we lost and for everyone back home waiting for the end of this nightmare.

The Taboo is Broken: I told them clearly, we love soccer, but we love freedom more. Since 2022, the line has been drawn. This team is a regime agency, not our national team. They do not represent us. We have sacrificed the game we love because we will not be used as propaganda for a brutal machine.

The Flag of Blood: Our community cannot even tolerate the sight of the regime’s flag. It is a symbol of the 40,000 young lives they murdered in the most horrific ways. I told them we already had our letters ready for FIFA and the stadium: that flag is not welcome in our city. Our only flag is the Sun and Lion.

Cowards Hiding Behind Lies: They claim America is “unsafe” to hide their shame. They aren’t running from a threat; they are running from the unity of the Iranian people. They saw the hundreds of thousands in LA and the 12,000 right here in Bellevue and they realized: There is no room for you here.

Our Only Real Assets: I told the world, don’t talk to us about oil money or buildings. Infrastructure can be rebuilt. Prosperity can return. But we can never bring back the lives they stole. Those children were our true assets. We want the job finished so their sacrifice counts for a free Iran.

My Message to the Camera: At the end, I looked directly into the lens and spoke to the regime. I told them: You are running because you are afraid. You are afraid of the real people of Iran, the brothers and sisters who stand together and will never step back until you fall. The world is watching, and your time is over. Javid shah.”
Arezou Bagan
March 11, 2026