Hundreds of demonstrators from Los Angeles’s Iranian-American community took the streets Saturday to celebrate the US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader.
“I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to dance. I want to laugh — but above all, I just want to celebrate,” said LA resident Shervin Khorramian, 55, waving an Iranian flag as he joined the elated crowd outside of the Wilshire Federal building in Westwood.
“I feel absolutely elated, and I feel hopeful,” Khorramian added. “For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful that this really could be the turning point for Iran.”
Demonstrators danced to Persian music and held signs reading “Reza Pahlavi, Make Iran Great Again,” in reference to the exiled crown prince, son of the last shah of Iran.
The crowd marched outside the federal building waving American, Iranian and Israeli flags and holding posters thanking President Trump.
Arash Behtahj, who still has family in the country, said he can “finally” see freedom coming to Iran after 47 years.
“We need to celebrate together,” he said.
Shekoofeh, who declined to give her last name out of fear for her family still in Iran, said it all felt like a dream.
“I can’t believe it,” she said, noting she has been protesting in the US against the regime since 2006.
“We’re here for freedom, for Iran. Thank you, Mr. Trump — Mr. President — and Mr. Bibi Netanyahu.”