Watch: Truck bearing ‘USA don’t repeat 1953’ slogan ploughs into pro-Iran protest crowd in LA

Truck rams anti-Iran protest in LA

A U-Haul truck ploughed into a group of demonstrators at an anti-Iranian regime rally in Westwood, Los Angeles, on Sunday afternoon (local time), injuring at least two people.

The incident occurred near the Wilshire Federal Building, where thousands had gathered to support the ongoing uprising in Iran. The protest, scheduled to begin at 2 pm, attracted large crowds, CBS News reported. Footage of the incident was captured on camera.

The truck was covered with political slogans linked to Iran’s past, including the message: “No shah, no regime. USA: Don’t repeat 1953, no mullah,” a reference to the US-backed 1953 coup that overthrew Iran’s then prime minister and restored the shah.

BREAKING: Someone driving a U-Haul truck plows into people at an Iran protests in Los Angeles, California.“NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON'T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH,” a sign on the truck read.Video: @Shangoolanspic.twitter.com/gI6Ft3unb9

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 12, 2026

Truck driver detained

According to local media, police detained a man at the scene after pulling him from the vehicle. As officers escorted him away, some protesters tried to attack him with flagpoles before police intervened to stop further violence.

The truck suffered significant damage, with its windscreen shattered and glass strewn across the road. The trailer attached to the vehicle appeared to be empty, with its rear door open as officers examined the truck and the surrounding area.

Authorities said it was not yet clear whether the driver intentionally drove into the crowd or panicked amid the protest.

About 3,000 demonstrators were gathered in Westwood by around 3 pm, the New York Times reported, citing the LA Regional Transportation Management Center. A spokesperson said off-ramps to Wilshire Boulevard in both directions were closed as a precaution to prevent protesters from accessing the freeway. The closures remained until roughly 5 pm, after most of the crowd had dispersed.

The Los Angeles Police Department said no ambulances were sent to the scene following the incident.

Mayor Karen Bass visits protest site

Several hours later, Mayor Karen Bass visited the site and addressed the incident at a news briefing. She voiced concern about US involvement in overseas conflicts and emphasised that protests must remain peaceful “regardless of how charged the issue is.”

In a post on X, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said the Department of Justice was aware of the incident.

The rally was organised in solidarity with protesters in Iran, where US-based activists say more than 500 people have been killed in a violent crackdown by the authorities.