A free Iran is their shared dream. But the diaspora remains torn on the best path forward.
The Iranian Diaspora’s Fractured Vision for a Free Iran
LOS ANGELES — Two contrasting demonstrations emerged last Saturday, highlighting the Iranian diaspora’s divided stance on the ongoing conflict. In a crowd near City Hall, hundreds of Iranian Americans gathered to voice opposition to an unsanctioned war, chanting slogans like “Stop the war in Iran” and “We the people don’t want war.” Just a few miles away, in Tehrangeles, the same community celebrated what they saw as a potential shift toward regime change, waving American, Israeli, and Iranian flags while dancing to energetic music.
A Tale of Two Protests
As the violence in the Middle East intensifies, emotional tensions within the Iranian diaspora have grown. Families who fled theocratic rule after the 1979 Islamic Revolution now find themselves at odds over the best way to achieve a free Iran. Abbas Milani, an Iranian studies expert at Stanford University, noted that some view the current conflict as a necessary sacrifice: “Some people are so aggrieved at this regime that they say, ‘At any cost, come and destroy this regime even if it means destroying parts of the country,’” he explained. Others, however, advocate for a more measured approach, prioritizing peace over war.
The split represents a notable shift from earlier this year, when the diaspora largely united in support of Iranians resisting government crackdowns. Despite shared aspirations for freedom, disagreements over methods have deepened. Milani observed that the imagery of destruction and jubilant support for war has sparked more discord than usual, with tensions expected to rise before they ease.
The Path Forward
Online discussions have grown more polarized since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Supporters of military action are increasingly labeled “Zionists,” a term now widely used as a derogatory reference to Jews, following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. Conversely, anti-war advocates face accusations of aligning with the regime. The debate over leadership also persists: while some favor Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah, others remain cautious about reinstating figures from the old monarchy.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government has imposed an internet blackout, isolating many from loved ones as the death toll climbs. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, looms on the horizon, bringing both hope and uncertainty. Rumors suggest Mojtaba Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, may assume the role of supreme leader. Analysts warn that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could consolidate its influence if the current conflict continues.
President Donald Trump has signaled a desire to dismantle Iran’s leadership structure entirely, offering potential names for a “good leader.” Yet, a recent NBC News poll shows 54% of voters disapprove of his handling of the situation, mirroring the diaspora’s internal division. Last year, a survey by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and YouGov found 53% of Iranian Americans opposed U.S. military intervention, with a new poll set for release next week.
The Iranian Diaspora Collective, an Instagram account with over 81,000 followers, emphasized this diversity: “We are not a monolith. Millions of people will never share the same ideology or identity, and that plurality is the strength of any free society.” Los Angeles-based pastor Ara Torosian, a Christian who fled Iran in 2010, expressed heartbreak over the destruction of historic sites and loss of innocent lives, particularly children. Yet he viewed the suffering as a stark contrast to generations of repression faced by dissidents.
“This is not just a moment of pain—it’s a reckoning with a legacy of oppression,” Torosian remarked.