Hundreds Rally Outside Iranian UN Ambassador's NYC Residence

Protesters call for regime change in Iran and U.S. intervention

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Hundreds of Iranian opposition supporters gathered outside the Fifth Avenue residence of Iran's UN ambassador in Manhattan, spray-painting "terrorists" and "killers" on the facade and demanding the U.S. take action to topple the Iranian regime. The protesters, who support the late Shah's son Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, chanted slogans like "Trump act now!" and called for the theocratic government in Tehran to be removed "by whatever means necessary."

Why it matters

The protest highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the desire of many Iranian exiles and opposition groups for the American government to intervene against the Iranian regime. The location of the protest, directly across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also underscores how Iran maintains an official presence in the U.S. despite the lack of diplomatic relations.

The details

The protesters gathered outside the 19th century limestone townhouse that has served as the official residence of Iran's UN ambassador since it was purchased by the Iranian government under the Shah in the 1970s. Overnight, someone had spray-painted "terrorists" and "killers" on the building's facade. The protesters, many of whom support the exiled Crown Prince Pahlavi, demanded "freedom for the Iranian people" and called for the U.S. to take military action against the regime in Tehran.

  • The protest took place on a sunny Saturday afternoon on January 31, 2026.

The players

Amir Saeid Iravani

The current Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, whose residence was the site of the protest.

Reza Pahlavi

The son of the late Shah of Iran, who has been in exile for 47 years and has been speaking out against the current Iranian regime.

Sarah Shahi

A protester who called for the theocratic Iranian regime to be "taken out with whatever means necessary."

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What they’re saying

“We want freedom for the Iranian people. We want this theocracy that has been taking people's rights away to be taken out with whatever means necessary. We need help when so many people have been killed.”

— Sarah Shahi, Protester

“For the people of the Islamic republic to be residing here is just so unjust. But it is the closest thing we have to an embassy.”

— Sarah Shahi, Protester

What’s next

President Trump has ordered U.S. warships to within striking distance of Iran as he considers potential attacks against the regime's nuclear program, oil and military targets. The protesters say they are waiting for President Trump to take military action against the regime so that the nation can finally taste freedom.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the desire of many Iranian exiles and opposition groups for the American government to intervene against the Iranian regime. The location of the protest, directly across from a major New York City landmark, underscores how Iran maintains an official presence in the U.S. despite the lack of diplomatic relations.