L.A.'s Iranian American Community Celebrates in Westwood

Hundreds rally in 'Tehrangeles' to mark a major political event back home.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As bombs fell 7,500 miles away in Tehran, members of West L.A.'s Iranian American community spent Saturday celebrating a day some had been awaiting for nearly half a century. The Greater Los Angeles area is home to the largest concentration of people of Iranian descent outside Iran, and many have settled in and around Westwood, earning the area the nickname 'Tehrangeles.' As word spread on social media of a large demonstration in support of the strikes, people gathered to celebrate the news.

Why it matters

The Iranian American community in Los Angeles has long been a hub for those who fled the Islamic Revolution in 1979. This celebration in Westwood, known as 'Tehrangeles,' highlights the deep political divisions and emotions that continue to resonate within the diaspora community even as major events unfold back in the homeland.

The details

Hundreds of Iranian Americans rallied in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, known as 'Tehrangeles' for its large Iranian population, to celebrate a major political event back in Iran. The gathering was organized quickly after news spread on social media about the event, drawing a sizable crowd to the streets to mark the occasion.

  • The Islamic Revolution in Iran occurred in 1979.

The players

Iranian American Community

The Greater Los Angeles area is home to the largest concentration of people of Iranian descent outside Iran, with many settling in the Westwood neighborhood, also known as 'Tehrangeles.'

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The takeaway

This celebration in Westwood highlights the enduring political divisions and emotions within the Iranian American diaspora community, even as major events unfold back in the homeland they left behind decades ago.