A free Iran is their shared dream. But the diaspora remains torn on the best path forward.

A free Iran is their shared dream. But the diaspora remains torn on the best path forward

In Los Angeles, a split emerged among Iranian Americans as two contrasting demonstrations unfolded. Just outside City Hall, crowds gathered to voice opposition to an unsanctioned war, shouting slogans like “Stop the war in Iran” and “We the people don’t want war.” Simultaneously, on the Westside—known as “Tehrangeles”—a different crowd celebrated the potential end of theocratic rule in their homeland, waving American, Israeli, and Iranian flags, dancing to energetic music, and rejoicing over reports of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

The Iranian diaspora’s emotional landscape has grown more complex in recent days, reflecting the tensions of escalating violence in the Middle East. For those who fled Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the conflict has sparked divided loyalties. Abbas Milani, director of Iranian studies at Stanford University, noted that “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.’” Others, however, advocate for removing the regime without sacrificing the country’s stability.

“The images of destruction and the very joyous support some show for war have become a source of more tension than we normally get in the diaspora,” Milani said. “It will get harder before it dissipates.”

This division marks a shift from earlier this year, when the diaspora appeared unified in backing Iranians protesting the government’s harsh measures. Now, debates online have intensified since the attack on Iran, with supporters of military action labeled “Zionists” and anti-war voices accused of pro-regime allegiance. The term “Zionist” has taken on new political weight since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assaults on Israel.

Amid the rising death toll and a government-imposed internet blackout, discussions also focus on potential leadership transitions. Some Iranians hope Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, could emerge as a successor, while others remain cautious about anyone linked to the monarchy. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader’s son, might assume power, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps poised to consolidate influence.

Former President Donald Trump hinted at his desire to dismantle Iran’s leadership, sharing names of potential candidates for a “good leader.” Yet, a recent NBC News poll revealed that 54% of potential voters disapprove of his military approach, a figure that mirrors the diaspora’s internal split. Last year, the National Iranian American Council and YouGov found that 53% of Iranian Americans opposed U.S. military action, with a new poll set to release updated results next week.

The Iranian Diaspora Collective, an Instagram account with over 81,000 followers, emphasized the community’s 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.” For Los Angeles-based pastor Ara Torosian, a Christian who left Iran in 2010, the current turmoil evokes memories of past oppression. He recounted being jailed and beaten for possessing Christian symbols in Tehran, yet he still cheered the fall of the supreme leader.

Torosian believes the suffering endured by Iranians today rivals decades of repression faced by dissidents. “This is not just about the regime,” he said. “It’s about the generations who silently endured injustice, and now they see the country torn by conflict.”