“As someone born in Iran, shaped by the freedoms of America since I was a teenager, now leading an Israeli company built on innovation and possibilities, I carry both the pain of my homeland and the responsibility of my adopted values,” said Ramin Mousavi, chief executive at Cathworks, an Irvine-based medical device maker.
“What we are witnessing today is not simply a geopolitical conflict, but a moral struggle between repression and the universal human desire for dignity and self-determination.”
Orange County has anywhere from 100,000 to 250,000 Iranian immigrants or people of Iranian ancestry, depending on who’s counting. Many came to the U.S. because of the Iranian Revolution and have made their mark as entrepreneurs in Orange County, including Joe Kiani and Paul Merage.
Some still identify themselves as Iranian Americans. Others dislike the distinction; just call them American.
The Pacific Symphony on April 4 will hold its annual tribute to the Iranian New Year called “Nowruz, Echoes of Freedom.”
This year’s event is especially poignant for Orange County’s businesspeople with ties to Iran.
The annual concert honors “the enduring voices of Iranians and offers a moment of reflection, healing and cultural connection,” the symphony said in a statement.
The performance will feature Music Director Laureate Carl St. Clair and the orchestra with Iranian musicians, vocalists and dancers.
The Iranian performers, including composer Shardad Rohani, guitarist Babak Amini and soprano Sara Hamidi, who is making her U.S. stage debut, will perform a blend of both contemporary and traditional Iranian music. The event is sponsored by the Farhang Foundation, a non-political organization to promote Iranian culture.
“For many years, this concert has served as a meaningful cultural bridge, bringing together extraordinary Iranian artists and one of America’s great orchestras to honor the depth and richness of Iranian culture,” Farhang CEO Alireza Ardekani said in a statement.
“This year, in particular, it offers an important moment for reflection and for uplifting the voices of Iranians through the universal language of music.”
This week’s Leader Board is an excerpt of “The Unexpected CEO; My Journey from Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO,” a book by Shirin Behzadi, who fled Iran as a 17-year-old.
We asked prominent OC businesspeople with connections to Iran to give us their thoughts on the current war. What follows on page 44 are their comments.
Abbas Mohaddes
Chairman Econolite
Umovity
“From a daily war point of view, it appears that Israel has a clear set of objectives and is executing with high level of precision. However, it is unclear to me if the US administration has clearly articulated its objectives. To use a musical analogy, it is more like a jazz improvisation on daily basis.
“A few key observations: Streight of Hormoz is a key area, critical, not only because 20% of the world’s oil goes through it, but a significant amount of goods from medicine to aluminum and many oil byproducts flows through.
Lingering its closure could have a profound impact on the world’s economy. It appears that US alone must deal with it as allies are not committing to any assistance. Then we have the potential and danger of expansion of the war into multiple regional countries, again another profound economic impact perhaps beyond the Middle East.
“The issue of governance in Iran post war and how it relates to the wish and will of most Iranian people. These are complex issues, and one can only hope and pray for expeditious resolution. The overarching concern is not only the loss of human lives all around, but also at a local level, the economic impact at the gas pump in Orange County!”
“While for us Iranian Americans, this is a season of war and shadow, the Pacific Symphony offers a space for our resilient spirit and profound moment of reflection.
“Our hope for a democratic future is a fire that cannot be extinguished, fueled by the ancient Zoroastrian creed of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds.
We reach through time to the wisdom of our ancestors to light the path towards a society governed by the will, collective voice, and freedom of its people. Let the music be our bridge from the trails of today to the down of a free tomorrow. ”
Joe Kiani
CEO
Willow Labs
When asked for a comment, Joe Kiani, who built Irvine-based Masimo into a world-class MedTech firm, pointed to his March 4th comment on X after a bomb destroyed an Iranian school in the first week of the war:
“Every life matters. These beautiful girls’ lives mattered and would not have been taken if it weren’t for the war. We should demand protection for children everywhere. Human rights should be equal for all.”
Ramin Mousavi
CEO
Cathworks
“For 47 years, the Islamic Republic has brutally silenced its own people—crushing protests, imprisoning dissenters, and even executing those who dare to demand basic rights. The current confrontation, intensified by U.S. and Israeli efforts to dismantle the regime’s military and nuclear capabilities, represents a critical moment in history.
“Contrary to mainstream media’s narrative, this is not about war for its own sake—it is about creating the conditions in which the Iranian people can finally reclaim their voice, their future, and their freedom.
I stand in unwavering support of those brave men and women inside Iran who continue to resist tyranny, and I believe that a free Iran—at peace with itself and its neighbors—is not only possible, but inevitable. I also hold an unshakable belief in what Iran can become once it is free.
This is a nation with one of the richest cultural legacies on Earth, a crossroads of civilizations that has for centuries connected East and West through trade, art, and ideas. Its geography alone places it at the heart of global commerce, bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in ways few countries can.
“A liberated Iran could reemerge not just as a participant in the global economy, but as a vibrant hub of innovation, culture, tourism, and trade—reviving its historic role along modern trade corridors and unlocking enormous economic potential for its people and the region.
I envision an Iran where its cities once again welcome the world, where its entrepreneurs build freely, where its artists and thinkers inspire globally, and where its people finally experience the prosperity and openness they have long been denied.”
Dr. Fardad Fateri
Investor
Fardad Family Office
“I love Iran… It’s my old country, I was born there and lived there for 12 years.
“I have always been against the current Islamic government in Iran that has been ruling the country for the past 47 years. Many of us who were born in Iran do not consider this current Islamic government to be an Iranian regime but invaders of the country.
“Iran is an ancient civilization dating back thousands of years. Iran was invaded by others, but Iranians never lost their identity, language, and culture. These extremists can never change Iranians either. These Islamic fanatics are responsible for the torture, rape and massacre of millions of Iranians since they took control 47 years ago and they will kill millions more if they are not stopped.
“I know my opinion and beliefs resonate with most Iranians in Iran and almost all Iranian diaspora. Iranian-Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, have all united and strongly demand a regime change in Iran.
“Iranian-Americans want a secular democratic government in Iran that supports ethic and religious diversity as well as equal rights and freedom for all.
“Although Iranian-Americans dislike the loss of lives in this current process, we fully support our American government and Israel in Operation Epic Fury with the key objective to be the swift and definitive transition to a secular democratic “Iranian” government in Iran.”
Anoosheh Oskouian
CEO
Ship & Shore Environmental
“Arriving in this country at the age of 14, I carried the hope and dream of continuing my education and building a life on my own, never knowing that I would be separated from my parents and family for years. This story resonates with so many Iranian Americans who shared the same path, driven by the dream of a better future.
Now, as the CEO & President of Ship & Shore Environmental I’m more than ever proud of the path I’ve taken.
“Fast forward 47 years, and many people in Iran are still fighting for the same liberty and freedom of choice. Basic human rights have been taken away and suppressed by a brutal regime, the IRGC, whose violence and massacres have left streets stained with blood.
“For decades, our driving force has been to honor and preserve our values, arts, culture, and heritage, sharing them with our community here in the hope of building bridges across generations and geographies.
“With the arrival of spring and the first light of a new day, we welcome Nowruz, the Iranian New Year a timeless tradition that began over 3,000 years ago. Nowruz symbolizes renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness, reminding us that even after the harshest winters, life blooms again.
“This year, Nowruz carries a deeper significance. We stand with the people of Iran, whose courage, genius, and unyielding spirit have endured 47 years of dictatorship. This is a pivotal moment the last struggle for freedom, and we honor the bravery of Iranians who continue to fight for liberty and a brighter future.
“We will celebrate the Echoes of Freedom with the Pacific Symphony, honoring Nowruz and echoing the voices of Iranians everywhere on April 4th at the concert hall.”
