Iran, US spar as diaspora organises rallies abroad calling for action | Protests News
Tehran, Iran – As Iran and the United States prepare for anticipated talks, their conflicting positions are becoming increasingly clear. This comes amid global rallies by the Iranian diaspora, demanding action following the deaths of thousands during last month’s nationwide protests.
Reports indicate a possible second round of mediated discussions in the days ahead, with Washington emphasizing its aim to restrict Iran’s missile program and halt all nuclear enrichment. Iranian officials have consistently countered these demands, asserting their readiness to dilute highly enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, which they claim is buried under rubble from U.S. airstrikes last June.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced on Friday the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, stating that “regime change” in Iran would be “the best thing that could happen.”
At a conference in Tehran focused on attracting regional investment for railroad projects, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to the leaders of several countries—including Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia—for their efforts to mediate a potential military conflict with the U.S. “All of these countries are working so that we can resolve our own problems with peace and calm,” Pezeshkian said, cautioning that war would have repercussions throughout the Middle East.
Major Rallies in the U.S. and Europe
Large-scale protests took place worldwide on Saturday, drawing Iranians living abroad who oppose the theocratic regime established after the 1979 revolution. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former U.S.-backed shah, called for a “global day of action” to reclaim Iran from the Islamic Republic. He participated in the Munich Security Conference, engaging with leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.
Key protest locations included Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto, while smaller demonstrations also occurred in various Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Past events have seen significant turnouts, with over 150,000 participants reported in Toronto last month, and approximately 100,000 registered for the Munich rally.
These rallies represent some of the largest gatherings organized by the Iranian diaspora and the most significant since the solidarity demonstrations following the protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody for allegedly violating hijab laws.
Recent protests coincided with state-organized demonstrations that included the burning of Israeli and American flags to mark the 47th anniversary of the revolution. Amini’s father voiced his grief on social media, criticizing the authorities’ lack of accountability for violence against those protesting against oppressive laws.
Events in recent weeks have galvanized a global movement, with protests in cities including The Hague, Zurich, Rome, Budapest, and Tokyo, following reports of widespread lethal force used against demonstrators. The Iranian government has rejected allegations from the United Nations and human rights organizations, claiming that the violence resulted from actions by “terrorists” and “rioters” allegedly funded by the U.S. and Israel.
Families United in Grief
Families continue to mourn loved ones killed during the unrest, sharing videos online as they remember victims across Iran. Behesht-e Zahra, a cemetery in Tehran, became a gathering site on Friday for families commemorating the “chehelom,” or 40 days since the deaths of their relatives. Attendees used music and gestures of defiance to express their grief and resilience.
Among those memorialized were Ayda Heydari and Zahra “Raha” Behloulipour, both students who were shot in separate incidents. The state-run Mehr news agency labeled Heydari a victim of foreign agents, while her family contended that she was not a dissident.
Mohammad-Hossein Omid, head of Tehran University, stated that most protesters were civilians, not insurgents, countering the government’s narrative.
Concerns for Prisoners
Iran’s judiciary confirmed the release on bail of several reformist politicians detained for their dissent. Vahid Shalchi, a deputy science minister, indicated that many arrested students might be released soon, although he did not provide specifics on numbers.
Thousands have been arrested during and after the protests, and human rights organizations warn that some detainees are at risk of execution, claims the judiciary denies. Amnesty International reported that 18-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi received a death sentence following alleged coerced confessions.
Mai Sato, UN special rapporteur on Iran, noted that patterns of previous abuses are resurfacing, with an estimated toll of over 20,000 civilians possibly killed during the demonstrations. However, definitive casualty figures remain elusive due to ongoing restrictions on information and communication in the country.
