In the sprawling Persian district of West Los Angeles, colloquially known as Tehrangeles, the recent US air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have provoked a complex tapestry of emotions and perspectives within the Iranian-American community. This neighbourhood, home to the largest population of Iranians outside Iran and decorated with Persian restaurants, bookstores, and cultural landmarks, has become a microcosm of the broader diaspora’s debate over the US intervention in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.

The attacks, carried out on June 22, 2025, involved US Air Force and Navy forces targeting key Iranian nuclear facilities such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with bunker-busting bombs and missile strikes. President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as “very successful,” framing them as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. His rhetoric included a controversial suggestion of regime change, using the slogan “Make Iran Great Again” (MIGA), a nod to his domestic campaign catchphrase but repurposed as a call to replace Iran’s Islamist leadership with a more favourable government. This slogan has since gained traction among segments of the Iranian diaspora who see regime change as a vital step toward Iran’s future.

At a demonstration outside the West LA Federal Building, supporters of Trump’s actions sport hats emblazoned with the new MIGA slogan, waving Iranian, Israeli, and American flags in a vivid display of solidarity. They express deep frustration with Iran’s Islamic Republic, which they view as a prolonged tyranny lasting more than four decades. Figures like Bita Ashrafi, who fled Iran 50 years ago, publicly back the strikes and President Trump’s decisions, hoping these actions might catalyse change. Others, such as community member Farzan Seyed, advocate for regime change but caution against excessive US involvement, preferring that Iranians themselves decide their political future, though with some holding out hope for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

Yet this support is far from universal. The community is sharply divided, reflecting varied experiences and outlooks among Iranian Americans. Some fear that foreign military intervention, especially by the US—pejoratively dubbed the “Great Satan” by Iran’s regime—could strengthen the regime’s grip by rallying nationalist sentiment or lead to further chaos reminiscent of the aftermath seen in Libya or Iraq. Roozbeh Farahanipour, a former Iranian political prisoner turned LA entrepreneur, argues that change must be led from within Iran rather than imposed from abroad. He voices disappointment with Trump, despite having voted for him, noting that military actions risk pushing Iran toward a fractured and uncertain future.

This internal schism is also reflected in divergent attitudes toward the ceasefire that followed the strikes. Many Iranian Americans remain anxious about the safety of relatives back home, grappling with disrupted communications as Iran restricts phones and internet access. Some hold cautious relief at the fragile ceasefire but are wary of further escalation. Others, however, fear that the uneasy calm may be temporary, with Iran’s regime already retaliating through missile attacks on US bases in the region.

The community’s debate extends beyond politics into activism and cultural memory. Key figures like Elham Yaghoubian, an activist who initially opposed military strikes, now supports the recent US and Israeli actions, believing they may embolden Iranians suffering under poverty and repression to rise up and overthrow the current regime. She and others have fought to raise awareness locally, achieving milestones such as the renaming of a West LA street to “Women Life Freedom Square” in memory of Iranian protester Masha Amini.

Notably, the Iranian-American community in Tehrangeles is far from monolithic. It encompasses diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Baháʼí, and Zoroastrian—each bringing different historical and political perspectives. Iranian Jews, for instance, are reported to be more openly celebratory of the strikes, viewing them as a necessary measure against an existential threat, while many Iranian Muslims in the community voice more cautious or critical stances.

Overlaying these local dynamics is the global geopolitical context. The US government, through President Trump’s administration, has pursued a more aggressive stance towards Iran’s nuclear ambitions, eliciting mixed reactions even among typically pro-Trump commentators. Some warn that further military action risks destabilizing the already volatile Middle East region and inflicting humanitarian costs on Iranian civilians.

In summary, the response of the Iranian-American diaspora in Los Angeles to the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites is layered and fraught with contradictions. While there is a broad consensus against Iran’s Islamic Republic and support for regime change in principle, opinions diverge sharply on the appropriateness and potential consequences of US military intervention. The community’s debates, activism, and demonstrations reflect a painful balancing act between hope for liberation and fear of exacerbating conflict—an enduring testament to the complex legacies and ongoing struggles of this diaspora.

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Source: Noah Wire Services