Towson cafe owner who fled Iran watches war erupt after U.S. and Israeli strikes

(WBFF) — As fighting escalates in Iran following U.S. and Israeli attacks Saturday, a Towson restaurant owner who fled the country decades ago is watching the conflict unfold with a mix of concern and hope for change.

Foad Borhani, who owns the Villagio Cafe restaurant in Towson’s Stoneleigh neighborhood, left Iran in 1994 and moved to Baltimore to live with family. Sitting at a table inside his restaurant late Tuesday after taking food orders for customers, Borhani described why he came to the United States.

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“I leave because I wanted to have a better life, freedom. And then that’s why I just came over here. And God bless America,” Borhani said.

The war in Iran continues with the Iranian military striking back with intense firepower after the United States and Israel attacked the country on Saturday. Borhani said his first reaction to news of the war was not a surprise.

“To be honest with you, I was waiting for that to happen. Because 47 years of that regime destroyed everything in Iran,” he said.

Asked whether President Donald Trump made the right decision, Borhani said, “if it wasn’t happening right now, supposed to happen again. They get stronger, and they’re going to stay there. And the whole nation is going to be worried for what’s going to happen. So yes, for sure.”

Borhani also said he has struggled to reach family members still in Iran amid disruptions. “With the situation that happened, internet, phone, is a lot of problem to just try to get them on hold and talk to them,” Borhani said.

As he watches and waits, Borhani said Americans should care about the war for humanitarian reasons.

“Just support. Just support instead of being negative thought or thinking, I’m not politician. I don’t know about, you know, politics is the whole different scenario. [Care] for humanity,” he said.

Borhani, who is a husband, father and grandfather, said he is hopeful the conflict will not become a “forever war” and believes it will be resolved soon.

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