Across the United States, major cities like New York and Los Angeles have become ground zero for intense demonstrations following the massive U.S.-Israel strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In Times Square and outside the White House, thousands of anti-war protesters—backed by a coalition of groups like the ANSWER Coalition and CodePink—slammed the military action as an “illegal war” and a “fascist” move by the Trump administration. These groups aren’t necessarily cheering for the Iranian regime; rather, they are terrified that this “unprovoked” attack will spark another endless conflict, resulting in massive loss of life and a total collapse of regional stability.
However, the scene in Los Angeles told a completely different story. In the heart of the world’s largest Iranian diaspora, the atmosphere was one of celebration rather than mourning. Thousands of Iranian-Americans flooded the streets with pre-revolutionary flags and posters of Donald Trump, cheering what they see as the beginning of the end for a regime that has repressed them for decades. While some American activists rally against the strikes out of fear for global war, many in the Iranian community are calling it “justice,” proving that the “rally for Khamenei” is actually a deeply divided battle over whether military force is the right way to achieve freedom.
