American woman describes Tehran ordeal: 'I was terrified'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) - Inspired by images of Iranians taking to the streets to support the opposition presidential candidate, Michelle May decided to head to Tehran.

"I just felt a real need to be there with my friends and i just wanted to be a part of what could possibly be history," May told CNN's "American Morning" on Wednesday. "So I made arrangements at the last minute."

May, who is an American and Irish national, used her Irish passport to travel to Tehran just days before the street demonstrations turned violent as Iranian authorities cracked down on those protesting the results of the June 12 presidential election.

She thought nothing of traveling to the country for a third time.

"I had been there two times before and I feel very connected to the country and the people there," she said. "I have a lot of friends."