Against the backdrop of the current war, multiple pro-Iranian regime rallies have taken place in major cities worldwide, with demonstrators expressing support for the Islamic Republic and condemnation of Israel.
Pro-Palestine protesters rallied in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday shouting “stop bombing Iran” and waving Iranian flags.
Protesters also called for the UK government to cease military support for Israel.
One of the organizing groups – the Palestine Solidarity Campaign – posted videos to social media showing crowds of people holding “Don’t attack Iran” posters alongside their normal ‘ceasefire now’ ones.
Shortly following the Iranian attacks, PSC published a statement saying “As Israel... launches major attacks in Iran, the responsibilities on the British government could not be clearer: it must impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and introduce wide ranging sanctions on Israel and all its government ministers, including [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu.”
In Paris, mass pro-Iranian regime rallies took place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in conjunction with pro-Palestine rallies.
Footage from French-Iranian journalist Shahin Hazamy shows protesters holding Iranian and Palestinian flags as they march through the French capital.
Hazamy himself posted a picture of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to his story, as well as several videos celebrating the attacks on Israel. However, he also announced that he has been charged with being a terrorism apologist, and is set to go to trial on July 3.
Around 2,000 people gathered in Berlin for a pro-Palestine and pro-Iran rally on Saturday, according to Berlin Police.
The police added that prohibited symbols were displayed and prohibited slogans were shouted during the rally but did not specify what kind.
There were reportedly multiple attacks on journalists, according to German media and the police.
Other posts on social media claim that members of the La France Insoumise Party were waving the flag of the Islamic Republic during the rally.
The Bronx Anti-War coalition has planned a “solidarity with Iran” rally for New York’s Times Square on Monday.
Critics of the protest events
Notably, the loudest critics of all the events have mainly been from Iranians in the diaspora, many of whom have abhorred the apparent support for the Iranian regime.
German based journalist Iman Sefati wrote of the Berlin protests: “Numerous activists celebrate the mullah regime and describe Iran as a democratic country – just like this one.
“They reject allegations that the regime rapes women and executes minors, claiming instead that Iranians are happy and free,” he wrote on X.
“Those who celebrate the mullahs are celebrating a regime that hangs Sunnis and bears some responsibility for the bloodshed in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.”