A protest in Los Angeles held in solidarity with anti-government demonstrations in Iran turned violent on Sunday after a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd, injuring several supporters of Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The chaotic incident triggered clashes near a federal building in the city's Westwood neighbourhood.
Chaos Erupts in Westwood
The incident unfolded as several hundred demonstrators had gathered to oppose Iran's clerical leadership and express support for the protest movement inside the country. This rally was part of a growing wave of global demonstrations backing the unrest in Iran, which has intensified over recent weeks.
According to local news reports, a U-Haul box truck drove down a street packed with marchers, forcing protesters to scramble for safety. Witnesses stated that enraged demonstrators then ran after the speeding vehicle in an attempt to stop the driver. The truck was later discovered several blocks away, surrounded by police vehicles and with its side mirrors shattered.
A banner displayed on the truck read: “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.” Protesters were seen tearing signs off the vehicle. Video footage showed the crowd swarming the truck, punching the driver and using flagpoles to break the driver's side window. The area was littered with shattered glass and debris as police worked to control the situation.
Police Response and Aftermath
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed officers responded to the scene. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that two people were evaluated by paramedics but both declined medical treatment, and no ambulances were called. Police did not immediately confirm any arrests.
Chaos intensified shortly before 3:30 pm when the crowd surrounded the U-Haul. Eyewitnesses reported some protesters smashing the truck's windows as tensions rose. Eventually, the crowd pulled a man from the vehicle, and law enforcement appeared to take him into custody. As officers escorted him away, some protesters tried to punch him and strike him with flagpoles.
The LAPD later issued a dispersal order. By approximately 5 pm, the crowd had largely disappeared, with only about 100 protesters remaining. The U-Haul was left stationary, cordoned off by crime scene tape and surrounded by broken glass and debris.
Broader Context of Iran Protests
The violence in Los Angeles occurred against the backdrop of continued protests in Iran itself. On the same Sunday, protesters again flooded the streets of Tehran and Iran's second-largest city, despite a government-imposed internet blackout aimed at stifling information flow.
Human rights groups estimate that more than 580 people have been killed and over 10,600 detained since the unrest began. Iranian authorities have not released official figures. The protests, which started in late December over economic hardship, have rapidly expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations. Iran's economy is under severe strain, with its national currency collapsing, inflation near 40%, and sharp price rises for basic goods.
The movement has also been fueled by anger over past crackdowns, including the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Some demonstrators in Iran have chanted slogans supporting Reza Pahlavi, who has repeatedly called for protests. Earlier, Pahlavi urged Iranian security forces and government employees to side with the demonstrators.
The incident in Los Angeles has drawn the protests further into the international spotlight. US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against violently suppressing peaceful demonstrators, stating, “We’re watching it very closely... If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.”
