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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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Video on social media shows a U-Haul truck driving through the crowd at an Iran pro-regime change rally in California as people scream and try to chase it away.
Law enforcement at the scene stopped the truck and pulled a man from the U-Haul, appearing to take him into custody, according to KABC.
Newsweek reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and U-Haul by email outside of normal business hours on Sunday evening for comment.
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Why It Matters
Anti-government protests have spread across Iran, marking the most significant challenge to the Ayatollah's rule since the 2022 protests that kicked off following the death of Mahsa Amini.
The newest wave of protests has unfolded over the past two weeks, with the Associated Press reporting the death toll has grown to at least 72 and over 2,300 others detained, citing the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The Iranian government is attempting to crackdown on the demonstrations that started in response to a deteriorating economy and a currency that is plummeting in value as inflation spikes.
The U.S., which has had a strained, distrustful relationship with Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, has been increasingly vocal on Iran in recent days. Last week, President Donald Trump voiced support for the protesters and warned Iran that the U.S. is "locked and loaded and ready to go."
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What To Know
Hundreds of people gathered in Westwood to show support for Iranian protesters amid the violent and deadly crackdown carried out by the Iranian government, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Shortly after 4 p.m. local time, video surface on social media showing the truck driving through the crowd, clearly showing a sign on the side of it that reads: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don't repeat 1953. No Mullah."
The year refers to a U.S.-backed coup in which the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ousted Iran's democratically elected prime minister, Muhammad Mossadegh. Mullah refers to the honorific title for Muslim clergy and mosque imams, widely used across West and South Asia.
Additional video appeared that showed the crowd stalling the truck and attacking it, smashing in the windows and trying to get at the driver. Police intervened, trying to keep the crowd back as they pulled the suspect, who is yet to be identified, out of the truck and apprehended him.
The protesters in one video are seen tearing down the signs on the side of the truck.
LAPD evaluated two people at the scene who declined medical treatment. No ambulances were called to the protest, according to ABC 7.
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Update 1/11/26, 8:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 1/11/26, 8:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 1/11/26, 7:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 1/11/26, 7:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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