Farideh Farhi is a professor of Middle Eastern politics and watches as the latest violence erupts in Iran. New images captured by demonstrators emerge almost hourly.
"It's not been a very fun thing to watch, as very gruesome pictures coming out," says Dr. Farhi, UH Manoa mIddle Eastern politics professor.
"I haven't slept, I haven't slept very much for the past week or so."
Dr. Farhi has studied Iran's elections for the past three decades and says this time the government went too far.
"There is a degree of manipulation in every election in Iranian politics, but this is just out of bounds."
She believes the election was rigged.
"The slogan of the moment in Iran is simply 'Where is my vote?'"
Still she never would have expected the kind of turmoil that's unfolded.
"Totally unexpected that people would react," says Dr. Farhi. "It is always said that Iran is one of the most unpredictable places in the world."
Making it all the more unknown how Iran's ruling clergy will respond.
"But so far the people that are in power, both the President and leader of Iran have drawn the line and are not showing any signs of desire to pull back."
That as protesters continue to push forward. And Dr. Farhi says their efforts won't be forgotten.
"The hope is that some sort of compromise at the top can be reached."
Dr. Farhi is paying extra close attention to the escalating violence in Iran, her own husband and daughter are in Tehran visiting family.
