An Iranian woman living in Westwood says she left Iran on December 28 as nationwide protests intensified and now fears for her family’s safety.
At a Glance
- Hundreds of demonstrators have reportedly been killed during recent unrest.
- A local woman says economic hardship and inflation sparked the uprising.
- She claims protesters are calling for U.S. military support.
- Why it matters: Her first-hand account offers a rare glimpse into the crackdown after Iran shut down internet and phone access.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, told News Of Losangeles she sensed turmoil was imminent when she boarded her flight. “I could sense it. Something big was going to happen,” she said.
Since returning to Los Angeles, she has stayed in touch with relatives and friends who describe streets filled with protests and violence. “They want the regime change. They are done with this regime,” she said, adding that economic conditions are “really bad.”
She claims demonstrators are pleading for outside assistance. “They do everything they can in their power, but they need military help. That’s why in the streets of Iran, they are calling for President Trump. Please help us. We need military help.”
The woman says young Iranians face lethal risks. She recounted the death of her friend’s 19-year-old son, who was shot in the neck. When his mother went to the hospital to retrieve his body, staff demanded 500 million tomans, about $3,500, before releasing it.
Her niece, a nurse, witnessed similar violence. “Right in front of (her), somebody got shot,” the woman said. “She was trying to help him. As soon as she helped him, somebody pulled (her) and said, ‘Just run, run for your lives.'”
Despite the danger, she remains optimistic. “Hope is the only thing we have,” she said. “The people of Iran, they are so brave. They are so brave. They will get rid of this regime, I’m 100 percent sure.”
She joined hundreds of demonstrators at an anti-regime rally in Los Angeles last Sunday and expects another protest at Los Angeles City Hall at 12 p.m. on Sunday, January 18.
President Trump on Tuesday encouraged Iranians to continue demonstrations. He posted on Truth Social: “KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers.”
A U.S.-based human rights group estimates that about 2,000 people have been killed since the protests began. Iranian authorities have restricted internet access and blocked foreign phone calls, limiting outside verification of casualty figures.
Protests Spread Amid Economic Crisis
The demonstrations started after the government announced price hikes on basic goods. Inflation has eroded purchasing power, and many Iranians struggle to afford food and medicine. The woman says frustration over these conditions pushed people into the streets.
Local Solidarity Rallies
Southern California hosts one of the largest Iranian diaspora communities outside Iran. Organizers expect thousands to attend Sunday’s downtown rally. Participants plan to march from City Hall to the Federal Building, calling for international support and increased sanctions against Iranian leaders.
Communication Blackout
With most foreign media barred from reporting inside Iran, activists rely on smuggled videos and eyewitness accounts. The woman says relatives send updates using virtual private networks when connections are available, but service cuts make updates sporadic.
Global Response
The United Nations has called for restraint, and several European governments have summoned Iranian ambassadors to protest the crackdown. The U.S. State Department condemned the violence and pledged to hold Iranian officials accountable, though it has not announced specific intervention plans.
Key Takeaways
- A Westwood resident says protesters want regime change and U.S. military aid.
- She reports hospitals demanding payment before releasing bodies of slain demonstrators.
- A human rights group puts the death toll near 2,000.
- Local rallies are planned in Los Angeles to show solidarity.
