U-Haul Truck Plows Into Iran Protest Crowd in Los Angeles; Driver Detained
January 13, 2026
A peaceful rally in Los Angeles supporting protests in Iran turned chaotic on Sunday when a U‑Haul truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators. Hundreds had gathered to show solidarity with anti-Iranian regime protests abroad. At about 3:30 pm, video and eyewitnesses show the truck entering the crowd, forcing protesters to scramble away. Police stopped the truck a few blocks later and arrested the adult male driver, who is held for investigation. One person was hit but did not have serious injuries, while others refused medical help after checks by emergency teams.
After the truck entered, many protesters surrounded it. Videos show them smashing its windows, trying to remove signs on the truck, and confronting the driver. Some tried pulling the driver out and struck the vehicle with flagpoles. Police pushed the crowd back and took the driver into custody.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland said, "The incident is under review and could lead to assault charges," noting the truck is seen as a potential deadly weapon. The driver's identity and details remain undisclosed as of Monday. The truck bore political slogans referring to Iran’s 1953 coup. Authorities have not labeled this act as terrorism. Police seek videos and witness statements to clarify the event.
The protest in Westwood was part of global demonstrations by Iranian communities reacting to harsh crackdowns in Iran under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The unrest has drawn worldwide attention, with calls for change and an end to violence.
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Los angeles
Iran Protests
U-Haul Truck
Demonstration
Lapd investigation
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