The protest took place as tensions between the United States and Iran sharply escalated following reports that the latest strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for nearly four decades. The development has raised concerns among analysts about possible political instability in Iran and the risk of broader conflict across the region.

Among the speakers at the rally was Yasmine Mortazavi, an Iranian American activist, who said she learned about the strikes early Saturday morning and was still processing the news. She said members of her family had recently been in Iran and that she has not been able to contact some relatives since the attack, while friends in the country are attempting to leave affected areas. Mortazavi told the crowd that opinions among Iranian Americans vary, but she believes the future of Iran should be determined by its own people rather than through foreign military action. She also rejected claims that Iranians widely support intervention by the United States or Israel.

Organizers said the demonstration was arranged within hours of the announcement of the strikes, with several community and political groups mobilizing supporters. Dina Saadeh, one of the organizers, told attendees she was angered by the escalation and said many people fear the United States is entering another prolonged conflict. She described the rally as part of a broader movement opposing sanctions, military escalation, and long-term involvement in overseas wars.

Speakers at the event urged participants to remain active beyond the protest and called for additional demonstrations in the coming days. Many in the crowd said they want government spending to focus on domestic priorities such as education, employment, and social programs rather than military operations abroad, reflecting growing public debate over U.S. foreign policy and the risk of a wider Middle East conflict.