Chaos erupted at a pro–Iranian freedom rally in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon after a U-Haul truck bearing a stark anti–regime change message plowed through a crowd of demonstrators, sending people scrambling in panic.
Witnesses said the truck barreled toward protesters waving Iranian flags, attempting to force its way through the gathering as a large banner taped to its side declared: ‘No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.’
Two people received treatment for injuries at the scene. A third person was reported injured; their condition was unclear.
The shocking moment unfolded in broad daylight in the Westwood area of the city as the vehicle appeared to deliberately drive into the rally area, raising immediate fears of a politically motivated attack.
Hundreds of people were marching in the neighborhood to voice their support for Iranian protesters.
As the truck came to a stop, tensions escalated rapidly. A large group of protesters was seen surrounding the U-Haul, with some demonstrators smashing its windows, shouting and anger boiled over.
Law enforcement officers eventually pulled a man from the vehicle and appeared to take him into custody.
As police escorted him away, several protesters were seen trying to punch him and strike him with flagpoles, forcing officers to push the crowd back.
Chaos erupted at a pro–Iranian freedom rally in Los Angeleson Sunday afternoon after a U-Haul truck bearing a stark anti–regime change message plowed through a crowd of demonstrators
The truck was caught on camera from various angles as it plowed through the crowd
A large banner taped to its side declared: ‘No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah.’
The west side of Los Angeles, including Westwood is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.
From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third live in the LA area.
The crackdown of demonstrations in Iran itself has resulted in hundreds of deaths.
At least 583 people have been killed since unrest began in Iran two weeks ago over the economic crisis, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
The LA Fire Department reported three people were injured by the truck – but two decline treatment. A third is being assessed by paramedics.
Los Angeles police were at the scene, working to control the crowd.
President Donald Trump is set to be briefed by top aides this week as he plots out the level of his response to the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown against citizen-led protests.
Trump’s top military and diplomatic staffers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, are anticipated to be present at the meeting, per the Wall Street Journal.
A U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd is pictured during a ‘Free Iran’ rally in Los Angeles
People walk near a U-Haul truck that was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally
Police cordon off a U-Haul rental truck after it was driven into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian protesters, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, California
From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third live in the LA area
The shocking moment unfolded in broad daylight as the vehicle appeared to deliberately drive into the rally area
Protestors had been marching in the Westwood area of the city underneath a giant Iranian flag
The meeting comes as Trump is understood to be considering further US involvement in the region, but no final decisions are expected to emerge until after Tuesday’s scheduled meeting.
Putting U.S. troops’ boots on the ground is also not on the table, per CNN.
Protests within Iran have escalated since the New Year, and the regime, led by Ayatollah Khamenei, has sought to limit its citizens’ access to the West by cutting off internet connection as well as telephone lines.
