U-Haul driver detained after speeding through anti-Iran protest in LA: police

LOS ANGELES (TNND) — The driver of a U-Haul box truck has been detained after video showed the vehicle driving down a crowded Los Angeles street with marchers demonstrating in support of the Iranian people on Sunday.

“The driver of a U-Haul truck collided with individuals marching along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building,” according to the LAPD. “The driver (an adult male) has been detained pending further investigation into the incident.”

Police confirmed one person was hit by the truck, but “no significant injuries” were reported.

A sign on the side of the truck said, “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah,” an apparent reference to a U.S.-backed coup that year that toppled then Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

The August 1953 coup stemmed from U.S. fears over the Soviet Union increasingly wanting a piece of Iran as Communists agitated within the country.

Demonstrators were heard screaming and seen waving the flag of Iran before the Islamic Revolution in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian theocracy.

Activists say a crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed more than 530 people. Protesters flooded the streets in Iran’s capital of Tehran and its second-largest city again Sunday.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned over the weekend that the U.S. military and Israel would be targets if the U.S. strikes the Islamic Republic.

“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all-American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”

President Donald Trump offered support for the protesters, writing on Truth Social that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.