A demonstration in support of protests in Iran descended into chaos on Sunday in Los Angeles when a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd of protesters.
The rally had drawn hundreds of participants showing solidarity with anti-regime protests in Iran. According to videos and eyewitnesses, the truck entered the protest area around 3.30pm, forcing demonstrators to scatter as it moved through the street. Police later stopped the vehicle several blocks away and detained the driver. One person was struck but did not sustain serious injuries, while others were examined by emergency responders and declined hospital treatment.
After the truck drove into the crowd, some protesters surrounded the vehicle. Footage shows people smashing windows, attempting to remove signs from the truck and confronting the driver. Several demonstrators tried to pull the driver out and struck the vehicle with flagpoles before police intervened to push the crowd back. Officers later escorted the driver away as tensions remained high.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the adult male driver was detained “pending further investigation.” Captain Mike Bland said the case is being reviewed and could lead to assault charges, with the vehicle being considered a possible deadly weapon.
Authorities have not yet released the driver’s identity or further details. The truck reportedly displayed political slogans referencing Iran’s 1953 coup, but officials have not classified the incident as a terrorist act. Police have appealed for witness videos and statements to establish a clearer sequence of events.
The protest in Westwood was part of a broader wave of demonstrations by Iranian communities and supporters worldwide, reacting to ongoing unrest and reports of harsh crackdowns in Iran. The situation has drawn international attention, with many in the diaspora calling for political change and an end to violence under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
