The recent US-led military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have triggered a wave of diverse reactions in Los Angeles’ Little Persia, a neighborhood known for housing the largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran. While some residents welcomed the actions as a step toward dismantling the oppressive regime in Tehran, others expressed anxiety over the safety of their families in Iran and the potential for a wider conflict.
The airstrikes, carried out in coordination with Israel, targeted three key nuclear sites in Iran. This marks the most significant military confrontation between the US and Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The strikes were a response to escalating tensions and Iran’s continued nuclear advancement, which Western powers claim is aimed at building weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
In Little Persia, located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, emotions ran high as the news of the strikes broke. Among the Iranian Jewish community, there was visible support for the operation. Many viewed it as a blow to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a hopeful step toward regime change.
Shawn, a 72-year-old Iranian Jewish mortgage broker, said the current regime should not exist anymore and that he supported Israel’s involvement in the strikes. Others echoed similar sentiments, highlighting their longing for a free Iran and support for actions that could weaken the theocratic regime.
At the same time, Iranian Muslims and other residents of Persian descent in the area expressed concern for the safety of loved ones back in Iran. Many reported difficulties reaching their families due to internet blackouts and limited access to news from inside the country. There was also growing fear that the situation could spiral into a full-scale war, pulling the United States deeper into another Middle East conflict.
Roozbeh, a 48-year-old engineer, reflected the community’s conflicted state. He admitted feeling hopeful that the regime might fall, but also expressed dread over the possibility of harm coming to his relatives in northern Iran. For many like him, the celebration of potential regime change was tempered by fear and uncertainty.
While some residents gathered in small groups to discuss the implications of the strike, a few others took to Persian Square waving Israeli and American flags. Though passionate, these gatherings remained relatively calm, with participants expressing cautious optimism and calling for an end to tyranny in Iran.
Beyond the local response, the international community remains on edge. Iran has vowed to retaliate, launching missiles toward Israeli cities and threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil transport. The European Union’s diplomatic efforts have stalled, and Iran has suspended any engagement in talks while under attack. Meanwhile, China and Russia have condemned the strikes and warned of the consequences of escalating the conflict.
In the United States, political leaders remain divided. While Republicans have generally backed President Trump’s decision, several Democrats criticized the operation as reckless and potentially unconstitutional. Calls for a return to diplomacy have been overshadowed by fears of a growing regional war.
As the situation unfolds, Little Persia continues to reflect the broader tension and complexity of the US-Iran confrontation. Residents remain hopeful for a free Iran, but their hope is mixed with sorrow, fear, and the burden of watching their homeland from afar as conflict threatens to engulf the region.