Los Angeles, Feb. 14, 2026 — Iran's exiled crown princess, Noor Pahlavi, rallied alongside tens of thousands of demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, amplifying calls for international support against the Iranian regime amid ongoing nationwide protests. The event, dubbed a "Global Day of Action," drew crowds waving the pre-1979 Iranian flag and American stars and stripes, stretching for blocks from City Hall in a show of solidarity with Iranians facing a brutal crackdown.
Pahlavi, the daughter of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, took the stage to deliver a impassioned speech, framing the gathering as more than a mere demonstration. "This is not just a protest — this is a declaration of a nation reclaiming itself," she said, according to attendees and organizers. Her father, Reza Pahlavi, has been a vocal advocate for global mobilization to pressure Tehran, urging protests worldwide to highlight the regime's suppression of dissent.
In her address, Pahlavi emphasized the resilience of the Iranian people. "Fear, the chief weapon in the Islamic Republic’s arsenal, is no longer effective against the lions and lionesses of Iran. Under gunfire, they rise. Knowing the cost, they rise," she declared. The rally featured massive banners proclaiming "Help Is On Its Way," a message echoing hopes for external intervention to aid those protesting in Iran.
The Los Angeles demonstration was one of several coordinated events, with flyers shared online designating LA, Toronto, and Munich as primary hubs. Southern California, home to the world's largest Iranian-American community outside Iran, served as a natural focal point. Organizers estimated tens of thousands participated locally, though exact figures were not independently verified.
Among the marchers was 19-year-old Aryana Amiri from Thousand Oaks, who attended with her mother. Born in Iran and relocated to the United States at age 9, Amiri described the atmosphere as "beautiful" and "emotional." "It’s an amazing opportunity to get the word out, and hopefully President Trump can help free us," she said, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who carried signs urging the U.S. president to address Iran's crackdown on protesters.
Amiri's plea underscored the personal stakes for many attendees. "They’re killing little kids, and all it takes is for one person — Trump — to stop it," she added, voicing frustration over reports of violence against civilians. Her words captured the urgency felt by the diaspora community, which has watched protests erupt across Iran since late December.
Aryana's mother, Nastaran Elahi, 46, shared her own anguish. She has been unable to contact family members in Iran for weeks due to government-imposed internet blackouts. Elahi labeled the regime's response a "massacre," citing activist claims that approximately 7,000 Iranians have been killed since the protests began. While these figures come from opposition sources and remain unconfirmed by independent monitors, they have fueled international outrage.
"If we can stop the regime, there can be peace all around the world," Elahi said, her voice breaking as she addressed the crowd. "Please, please do something. Help us — help the people of Iran." Her comments highlighted the broader aspirations of the movement, linking domestic unrest in Iran to global stability.
The Los Angeles rally coincided with massive gatherings elsewhere. In Munich, Germany, an estimated 250,000 opponents of the Islamic Republic marched, marking what organizers called the largest such protest in Europe to date. Reports from the scene described a sea of flags and chants echoing the LA event's themes of resistance and hope for regime change.
Background on the protests traces back to late December 2025, when widespread demonstrations erupted in Iran over economic hardships, corruption, and demands for greater freedoms. The regime's response has included arrests, internet shutdowns, and lethal force, according to human rights groups. Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has positioned himself as a figurehead for a secular, democratic alternative, calling on expatriates to amplify the voices of those inside Iran.
Noor Pahlavi's participation adds a symbolic layer, invoking the legacy of the Pahlavi dynasty, which ruled Iran until the revolution. Her speech in LA was part of a series of appearances aimed at galvanizing support, including virtual addresses to Iranian youth. While the crown princess holds no official political role, her visibility has drawn both praise from exiles and criticism from regime supporters who view the family as relics of an authoritarian past.
Attendees in Los Angeles included a diverse mix of Iranian-Americans, from recent immigrants to second-generation citizens. Many sported green, white, and red armbands symbolizing the Lion and Sun emblem of the pre-revolutionary flag. Chants of "Woman, Life, Freedom" — a slogan born from earlier protests — mingled with calls for U.S. intervention, though opinions varied on the form such aid should take.
Local law enforcement reported no major incidents during the rally, which remained peaceful despite its scale. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at around 20,000 to 30,000, based on aerial observations, though organizers claimed higher numbers. Traffic disruptions were minimal, with streets cleared by early evening as participants dispersed.
The events come at a tense moment in U.S.-Iran relations. President Trump's administration has historically taken a hardline stance toward Tehran, including the 2020 killing of General Qasem Soleimani and withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Protesters' appeals to Trump reflect hopes that renewed pressure could tip the scales, though White House officials have not yet commented on the rallies.
Broader implications extend to Iran's regional influence. Activists argue that toppling the regime could curb support for groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, potentially easing conflicts in the Middle East. However, Iranian officials have dismissed the protests as foreign-orchestrated, blaming "Zionist and American plots" without providing evidence.
As the Global Day of Action unfolds, eyes remain on Tehran, where sporadic clashes continue despite heavy security. Reza Pahlavi has vowed to sustain the momentum, planning follow-up events in coming weeks. For Iranian-Americans like the AmirIs, the rallies represent not just solidarity, but a lifeline to a homeland in turmoil.
In Toronto, another key site, thousands gathered at city hall with similar messages, underscoring the diaspora's global reach. Reports from there described emotional scenes, with families sharing stories of lost loved ones. The coordinated nature of the protests, facilitated through social media despite Iran's restrictions, demonstrates the regime's challenges in silencing opposition abroad.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for urgent international action, urging the United Nations to investigate alleged atrocities. While the death toll of 7,000 remains disputed — with Iranian state media reporting far lower figures — videos smuggled out of the country show scenes of unrest in cities like Tehran and Isfahan.
Looking ahead, the success of these demonstrations may hinge on diplomatic responses. European leaders, fresh from the Munich march, have expressed sympathy but stopped short of concrete pledges. In Washington, congressional figures from both parties have voiced support for the protesters, though divisions persist on military involvement.
For now, the echoes of Noor Pahlavi's words linger in downtown LA, where the "lions and lionesses" she invoked continue their fight from afar. As winter turns to spring, the question remains: Will global attention translate into real change for Iran?