CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss recently shared a video of Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad responding to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s condemnation of recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The clip, which has sparked significant discussion, highlights the complex political and emotional dynamics surrounding the conflict.

Reaction to U.S.-Israeli Strikes

In the video, Alinejad, a prominent critic of the Iranian regime, addressed Mamdani’s statement, which criticized the strikes as ‘bombing cities’ and ‘killing civilians.’ She responded by urging people not to shift their anger from former President Donald Trump to the people of Iran, calling them ‘innocent people.’

‘I know maybe you and many other people, they hate President Trump,’ she said. ‘But believe me, this is not the right time to shift your hatred and your anger from President Trump to the people of Iran, innocent people. We are better allies to you, America, compared to these backward mullahs.’

Mamdani, in his public statement, expressed concern that the U.S. and Israel were ‘opening a new theater of war.’ He emphasized that Americans are not seeking another war and instead want relief from economic challenges and peace.

Emotional Response to Reports of Khamenei’s Death

Weiss later shared another clip of Alinejad, who appeared emotionally overwhelmed after reports surfaced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed. In the video, Alinejad is seen expressing joy and relief, stating, ‘Finally, you’re dead, finally, you’re gone, Ali Khamenei.’

‘Every morning I wake up reading that my people are being killed by Ali Khamenei. But this is the first morning in my life that I get the good news,’ she said, her voice breaking with emotion. Later in the video, Alinejad took to the streets and shouted, ‘Oh my God, I love America, thank you. Ali Khamenei is dead!’ The video has since gone viral on social media platforms.

Alinejad has long been a vocal critic of the Iranian government. In January, a man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a murder-for-hire plot targeting her, which was reportedly directed by the Iranian government. Her high-profile activism has made her a target of state-sponsored threats.

Political Stance and Public Opinion

Weiss’s stance on Iran is not new. In a June appearance on Fox News, just days before the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, she echoed former President Trump’s position, stating that nuclear Iran poses an ‘existential threat to America.’

‘The worst case scenario in terms of American involvement is the use of these B-2 bombers and the dropping of a few of these M.O.Ps,’ she said during the interview. Her comments reflected a broader political narrative that has been debated among U.S. policymakers and the public.

However, recent public opinion suggests a more divided stance. A University of Maryland poll conducted earlier this month found that only 21 percent of Americans would support a U.S. attack on Iran, while 49 percent were opposed and 30 percent remained unsure. The poll highlights the growing unease among the American public regarding further military engagement in the region.

The conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has become increasingly complex, with each party holding distinct positions and interests. The situation remains highly volatile, and any further escalation could have significant global repercussions.

Weiss’s posts have drawn both support and criticism, with some praising her for highlighting the perspectives of Iranian dissidents and others questioning her alignment with certain political ideologies. The debate over Iran’s role in the Middle East and the U.S. response continues to be a contentious issue in national and international discourse.

As the situation unfolds, the international community remains closely watching the developments, with potential implications for regional stability and global security. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the next steps in this ongoing conflict.