In This Article

  • Heated Debate Among Iranian-Americans in 'Tehrangeles'
  • US Intervention in Israel-Iran Conflict
  • Views of Iranian-Americans: For and Against US Intervention
  • Divided Iranian Diaspora in Southern California
  • Friendship Tested by Differing Views on US Intervention

Key Takeaways

  • The Iranian-American community in 'Tehrangeles' is divided over the U.S. intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict.
  • The Iranian diaspora, the largest outside of Iran, is divided between those who see U.S. intervention as a step towards ending tyranny and those who fear it will bolster Iranian leaders.
  • The Iranian-American community in Southern California remains vocal and passionate in their debates about the future of Iran, despite their differences.
  • The friendship between Roozbeh Farahanipour and Elham Yaghoubian, long-time activists, is tested by their differing views on the U.S. intervention.
  • The divide within the Iranian-American community in 'Tehrangeles' reflects the complexities of the Iran-Israel conflict and the ongoing struggle for a better future in Iran.

In the heart of Los Angeles, West LA, affectionately known as 'Tehrangeles', the Iranian-American community is in the midst of a heated debate over the recent U.S. intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict. The streets echo with chants for regime change in Iran, a call that resonates deeply with many who have fled the Iranian regime.

The scene outside the West LA Federal Building is a spectacle, even by LA standards. Amid the crowd, US Marines stand guard, a presence contested by some, while others rejoice in MAGA hats, supporting President Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites.

The Iranian diaspora, the largest outside of Iran, is divided over the US involvement. For Bita Ashrafi, a long-time Iranian-American, the US intervention is a step towards ending the tyranny and dictatorship that she's been fighting against for 46 years.

However, not everyone in the community shares this view. Some worry that US intervention will only bolster the Iranian leaders, who call the US the "Great Satan." Roozbeh Farahanipour, a successful entrepreneur, fears that US military action will push Iran into a broken and uncertain future.

Despite their differences, the Iranian-American community in Southern California remains vocal, filling cafes and restaurants with passionate debates about the future of Iran. The community, diverse in faith and ethnicity, speaks with a united voice against the Islamic Republic.

However, not everyone agrees that there is a unified voice. Roozbeh Farahanipour and Elham Yaghoubian, long-time activists and friends, find themselves on opposite sides of the issue. While Farahanipour supports targeted sanctions, Yaghoubian is skeptical of military action against Iran.

Their friendship, forged through decades of activism, is now tested by their differing views on the US intervention. Despite their differences, they remain united in their hope for a free Iran.

This divide within the Iranian-American community in 'Tehrangeles' reflects the complexities of the Iran-Israel conflict and the ongoing struggle for a better future in Iran.

Source URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czeyp4l9l86o

Tags:

#Israel #Iran #Protests #Politics #USA #Regime Change