Iranian Man’s Suicide Highlights Desperation Amidst Crackdown, Plea to Halt US-Iran Deal
TEHRAN – A young Iranian man took his own life last week after posting a harrowing video online pleading with former U.S. President Donald Trump to halt any new negotiations with Iran’s theocratic government. The act, a desperate cry for international attention, underscores the escalating despair within Iran following a brutal crackdown on recent protests and a wave of arrests targeting dissidents.
Pouria Hamidi, 28, from the southern port city of Bushehr, detailed in a 10-minute, 44-second video posted to his YouTube channel, “PoorY X,” the immense suffering he and many Iranians feel under the current regime. He claimed over 40,000 people have died in the suppression of protests – a figure that remains independently unverifiable but reflects the widespread perception of a deadly government response.
“If you’re watching this, then I’m not around anymore,” Hamidi stated in the video, recorded in English. He directly addressed American leadership, arguing that any agreement with the current Iranian government would “betray all those people who died.”
Hamidi’s plea resonated widely on social media, with a tweet from user @NiohBerg featuring a clip of the video garnering significant attention.
Pouria Hamidi, 28, from Bushehr, took his own life yesterday.
Why? Because President Trump decided to enter a nuclear negotiation with the regime in Iran, breaking everyone’s hopes and dreams, and rendering their sacrifices for nothing.
This is the real human cost of what the… pic.twitter.com/ST7vqyog0a
— 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) February 8, 2026
He expressed a belief that only external intervention could bring about meaningful change, stating, “America attacking Iran is the only hope we have right now.” He also voiced support for exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi as a potential leader for a transitional government, urging unity among opposition groups.
Hamidi’s despair was palpable. “You don’t know how hopeless our people are right now,” he said. “I can’t even cry about it because it’s so laughable to be born in a place like this, to have no future.”
His video concluded with a message in Farsi, urging Iranians to support one another: “We people of Iran are lonely people and have nobody, so please support each other. Long live Iran.”
The tragedy unfolded as the Iranian government simultaneously intensified its crackdown on dissent and signaled openness to renewed nuclear negotiations with the United States. Recent arrests include Javad Emam, a spokesperson for a major reformist coalition, and Hossein Karoubi, the son of prominent dissident Mehdi Karoubi. These actions follow talks held in Oman between Iranian and U.S. officials, described by both sides as “positive.”
The government’s dual approach – repression at home and diplomacy abroad – highlights the complex dynamics at play. Iran also recently added years to the prison sentence of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, a further indication of its uncompromising stance towards internal opposition.
The protests that prompted the recent crackdown were some of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. While the exact number of casualties remains disputed, human rights organizations have documented widespread use of force against protesters, including the use of live ammunition.
Hamidi’s desperate act serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political repression and the yearning for change within Iran. The situation underscores the urgent need for international attention and a nuanced approach to the complex challenges facing the country.
[Image of Iranian security forces during protests. Credit: AFP]
AFP