Los Angeles has long been a beacon of hope for immigrants chasing a better life — and for thousands of Iranians, it became a new home away from home.
Since the 1970s, waves of Iranian immigrants have settled in this city, building what is now the largest Iranian diaspora in the world.
The vibrant community, affectionately called “Tehrangeles,” blends the rich heritage of Iran with the spirit of L.A.
Tehrangeles: A Neighborhood Shaped by History and Conflict
The name “Tehrangeles” comes from Iran’s capital, Tehran, a city recently rocked by intense bombings amid rising tensions with Israel.
As a fragile ceasefire took hold between these two nations, the local Iranian-American community found itself deeply divided — torn between hope for peace and calls for decisive action.
Some urged U.S. President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance against Iran’s hardline rulers, warning that failure to act could lead to catastrophic consequences worse than Hiroshima.
Trump’s Airstrikes and the Desire for Regime Change
On June 21, President Trump authorized airstrikes that targeted Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Using advanced stealth bombers and missiles, these strikes aimed to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
For many Iranian expats living in Los Angeles, this was just the beginning — they hope Trump will continue to dismantle the current regime and bring about real change in their homeland.
Living in Fear but Proud of New Beginnings
Despite being thousands of miles away, many Iranian-Americans remain cautious about speaking openly, fearing retaliation from Iran’s ruthless mullah-led government.
Some hesitate to share their full identities or appear in photos.
Take Mohammed Ghafari, for example. He left Iran back in 1974, lived in Canada for nearly three decades, then settled in the U.S. in 2001.
Now a proud grandfather and successful business owner, Mohammed runs Shater Abbass Bakery & Market in L.A. While grateful for his life in America, he worries deeply for those still in Iran struggling with shortages and oppression.
The Struggles Back Home and Calls for Leadership Change
With communication lines cut, Mohammed hasn’t been able to contact his siblings in Tehran since the recent violence erupted.
He blames “fanatics” for years of unrest and believes nuclear weapons contradict regional peace.
Mohammed supports removing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for regime change but warns that if America’s actions are driven by oil or business interests, the situation becomes more complicated.
From Shah to Revolution: A Nation’s Tumultuous Journey
Iran’s political landscape shifted dramatically after 1979 when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled amid the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The monarchy, which had lasted over 2,500 years, was replaced by a theocratic regime.
Khomeini’s successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remains in power today.
Life in Tehrangeles: Culture, Youth, and Uncertainty
Today, roughly a third of the 400,000 Iranian-born residents in the U.S. live in the Los Angeles area.
Around UCLA, the Tehrangeles neighborhood buzzes with Persian restaurants, shops, and cultural hubs.
Young people like 19-year-old Alex Macam, who fled Iran in 2019, share their hopes for peace.
Alex, seeking asylum, believes nuclear weapons aren’t the answer and stays connected with friends back home through social media — a window into the realities younger Iranians face under the regime’s control.
Generational Perspectives on Iran’s Future
Many young Iranians, like Alex, reject radicalism and dream of a future where they can live freely without oppressive laws they never chose.
However, worsening economic conditions mean some regret not leaving sooner, as even affording a ticket out is now a challenge.
Meanwhile, U.S.-born Iranians like 17-year-old Salar Montaseri recognize the deep divides within Iran.
He points out that those loyal to the regime are often motivated by family ties and personal gain.
Salar believes the majority of Iranians desire change after decades of oppression but wishes a diplomatic path had been pursued instead of military strikes.
Older Generations Remember a Different Iran
For others like 81-year-old Simone Gueramr, who left Iran after the revolution, the current regime is a tragic fall from grace.
She recalls a time when Iran was a prosperous, civilized nation — “the Switzerland of the Middle East.”
She praises Trump’s strike as a necessary intervention and calls for the Supreme Leader to step down.
Simone insists the Iranian people and their government are not one and the same, explaining that while the regime fears Israel, ordinary Iranians are often friendly towards it.
A Call for Freedom and Stability
Kam Dadeh, a 66-year-old civil engineer who came to the U.S. in the 1970s, echoes the call for regime change.
He hopes new leadership will end brutality and allow Iranians to live with dignity and freedom — including women being able to dress without fear of violence.
Caution About the Road Ahead
Even among those who want change, there is concern.
A restaurant manager known as Al Ja worries that removing hardliners without a clear plan could lead to chaos and factional fighting.
He advocates for U.S.-led efforts to stabilize Iran’s economy and lift sanctions that mainly hurt ordinary citizens.
Holding on to Hope for Peace
Despite the tension and uncertainty, many in the Iranian-American community cling to hope — hope that one day peace will return, that freedom will flourish, and that Iran will reclaim the promise of a bright and prosperous future.