Iranian state TV reports the Saturday morning air strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Fara Pourshariati said she hasn't been able to sleep since she heard the news of the actions.
"I heard it at 1:30 in the morning and we got excited. We were nervous. It's so many different emotions that come in," she said.
Beth Dehghan is a member of the Iranian American Community of NC. She says this is a great day for Iranians.
"This was one of the happiest days of the Iranian people, to see that the supreme religious leader is gone," she said.
The military actions sparked a rally and march in downtown Raleigh Saturday evening.
Victor Urquiza is an organizer for the Party for Socialism & Liberation. He and others at the rally called for an end to violence in the Middle East.
"We're seeing the cuts to healthcare, to Medicaid, to social services that people actually want and need," he said. "If you ask most people around in this space, they'll be like, I don't want to see a war."
Iranians in the Triangle say the air strikes did not come as a surprise.
"Because of all the military activities in the Persian Gulf and all that, it was expected," said Dehghan.
Most Iranians applauded the move, as several thousand people have been killed during anti-government protests in Iran over the last two months.
Dehghan said she hopes to see the main resistance group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, take power.
"They are trying just to have this six-month transitional period, and then to have the free election for Iranian people to decide what they want to do," she said.
Pourshariati said she would rather see the son of the late Shah return to power.
"We are looking forward for him to come and lead the country," she said. "He's going to bring peace. He's going to bring safety."
Regardless of what happens next, Iranians in the Triangle say they just want to see a free Iran for all.
"It's not about politics, it's about human rights, and human rights violations," said Pourshariati.
Some Iranians also say they hope that includes an end to military conflict in the region.
"We are hoping that this war ends very soon, and the Iranian regime will be toppled by Iranian people," said Dehghan.