Iranian-Americans in LA Celebrate Attacks on Iran's Regime

Protesters voice support for US-Israeli strikes, call it a 'rescue mission' not a war

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Hundreds of Iranian-Americans gathered in Los Angeles on Saturday to voice support for the recent attacks against Iran's ruling regime, a week after a US-Israeli airstrike killed the country's supreme leader. Demonstrators rallied near the federal building, chanting for the return of democracy to authoritarian Tehran and praising former President Donald Trump as a 'hero' who will be remembered like Cyrus the Great. Many rejected the idea that the current strikes amount to war, and took Democratic politicians to task for opposing military intervention, urging them to better understand life under the Iranian regime.

Why it matters

The protests highlight the deep divisions within the Iranian-American community over the recent attacks on Iran's government, with many seeing it as a chance to end the Islamic Republic's grip on power rather than an act of war. The reactions also reflect broader partisan divides in the US over how to approach the situation in Iran.

The details

Protesters waved flags, shared stories of exile, and criticized Democratic politicians like former Vice President Kamala Harris for opposing regime change in Iran. Many said their families fled Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and still cope with its consequences. Demonstrators rejected the idea that the current strikes amount to war, describing it instead as a 'rescue mission' against terrorists in Iran.

  • The protests took place on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • The US-Israeli airstrike that killed Iran's supreme leader occurred a week prior to the protests.

The players

Donald Trump

The former US president, who many Iranian-Americans see as a 'hero' who will be remembered like Cyrus the Great for his actions against the Iranian regime.

Kamala Harris

The former US Vice President, who was criticized by protesters for opposing regime change in Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The former Prime Minister of Israel, who protesters said they are 'very grateful' for along with Trump.

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What they’re saying

“He will be remembered by Iranians the way that Jewish people remember Cyrus the Great, who freed the Jews and led them to practice whatever religion they wanted.”

— Mars, Iranian-American protester

“Try living in Iran. Try going to Iran. If they aren't against the regime change, they cannot talk about human rights, women's rights, children, or anything.”

— Nazanin Jalalian, Iranian-American protester

“They are not thinking about the people of Iran. They don't know what's going on. Talk to them and ask her — where were you when the regime of Iran killed 50,000 innocent people in just two days?”

— Shahrokh, Iranian-American protester

The takeaway

The protests in Los Angeles highlight the deep divisions within the Iranian-American community over the recent attacks on Iran's government, with many seeing it as a chance to end the Islamic Republic's grip on power rather than an act of war. The reactions also reflect broader partisan divides in the US over how to approach the situation in Iran, with some calling for a more forceful stance and others warning against military intervention.