Los Angeles's Iranian Diaspora Navigates Deep Divisions Amidst US-Israel War on Iran

Los Angeles, often dubbed "Tehrangeles" due to its status as home to the world's largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran, is experiencing profound internal conflict. Recent weeks have seen dueling protests across the city, highlighting the community's starkly divided opinions on the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran.

A Community Divided: Duelling Protests in Tehrangeles

On a recent day in Southern California, the streets of Los Angeles became a stage for contrasting viewpoints on the war in Iran. The city's Westside saw demonstrations supporting US military strikes and calling for regime change, with participants waving flags of Iran's former monarchy.

Simultaneously, just miles away outside Los Angeles City Hall, another group gathered to protest the war, chanting "Hands off Iran." These demonstrators condemned President Donald Trump and warned of potential regional devastation. This stark divide reflects a deep schism within the estimated 375,000 people of Iranian origin living in California, predominantly in Los Angeles County.

With an estimated 375,000 people of Iranian origin, primarily in Los Angeles County, the city's Westside acts as a vibrant cultural and business hub. The community's deep roots in the region mean that geopolitical events concerning Iran resonate profoundly on local streets.

Conflicting Emotions Amidst Regime Change Hopes

For some within the diaspora, the US-Israel bombing campaign has sparked hope for the fall of the Iranian government. However, this hope is often tempered by deep anxieties and a distrust of foreign intervention, as articulated by Sam Golzari, who said, "I want this regime gone. But there is no reality in that I trust Trump or Israel to have my country, my people's best interest in mind."

Many families in Los Angeles fled Iran during periods of intense upheaval, such as the 1979 revolution or the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. The recent killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike on February 28, 2026, stirred complex emotions, with some feeling relief while others, like Golzari, found it difficult to celebrate anyone's death.

Diaspora Grapples with Fears for Loved Ones in Iran

Anxiety is a nearly universal feeling across "Tehrangeles" as residents fear for their loved ones back home. Majid Golzari expressed, "Bombs never solved anything. I don't understand how people are happy about bombing others." An internet blackout, caused by both network damage and government restrictions, has severely hampered communication.

Reza Arzanian shared a harrowing account of his parents in Tehran, who reported munitions dropping nearby, leaving them visibly shaken. Preliminary figures from Iran's Ministry of Health indicate at least 1,444 citizens have been killed in the war, including approximately 168 children from an elementary school reportedly struck by a US attack. Despite his own criticisms of the Iranian government, Arzanian stressed that "when you get bombed, there is nothing good that comes out of it."

Deep-Seated Concerns Over US Intervention

The conflict has reignited a critical debate within the diaspora regarding the appropriate role of the US in Iran's future, a question deeply rooted in historical US involvement in the region. Human rights lawyer Aida Ashouri, who participated in the city hall protest, condemned the current campaign as a "US imperialist war," arguing it violates international law given that US and Israel launched the first strike.

Ashouri and other anti-war activists, like Shany Ebadi of the ANSWER Coalition, draw parallels to the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, fearing a similar cycle of destabilization. They contend that military intervention will not lead to freedom in Iran but risks sparking a wider regional conflict that could devastate the Middle East.

Key Takeaways

  • Los Angeles's Iranian diaspora, the largest outside Iran, is deeply divided over the US-Israel war on Iran.
  • Protests advocate for both regime change (with perceived US support) and an immediate end to foreign military intervention.
  • Anxiety is a widespread sentiment within the community, fueled by fears for family in Iran and an internet blackout.
  • Preliminary figures from Iran's Ministry of Health report at least 1,444 civilian casualties, including 168 children.
  • Critics of the war, including human rights lawyers, argue it is an unprovoked "imperialist invasion" violating international law and fear regional destabilization.