An Iranian woman who participated in a demonstration in central London on Saturday afternoon has expressed that military strikes on Iran were the "only choice" available to world leaders, while revealing her deep personal anguish over her nephew who is currently imprisoned in Iran with his fate unknown.
London Rally Coincides with Military Action
Just hours after the United States and Israel launched a coordinated joint attack on Iranian targets, protesters gathered in Westminster to demand regime change in the Middle Eastern nation. The group assembled outside Downing Street, where many participants held placards displaying photographs of Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, before marching through Whitehall in a show of solidarity.
Pre-Planned Demonstration Takes on New Urgency
The demonstration had been organized prior to US and Israeli forces carrying out a series of strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Saturday morning. Military officials described the action as "pre-emptive" and called for Iranians to overthrow their government. At the rally, organizers led call-and-response chants including "What do we want? Regime change" and "Who do we want? Reza Pahlavi."
Many protesters waved Iranian flags, and several held signs proclaiming Pahlavi to be the rightful leader of the country. One prominent banner read: "This is the final battle, Pahlavi will return."
Personal Tragedy Fuels Protest Participation
Iranian national Maryam Mashali, 41, explained her decision to join the protest was motivated by her desire for her country's freedom and people. Ms Mashali escaped Iran and sought asylum in Turkey, where she lived for eight years before coming to the United Kingdom, where she has resided for ten months.
Her parents, sister, and many friends still live in Iran, and her nephew is among the country's many dissidents who have been arrested and jailed. "My sister's son is in jail. He has spent three weeks in jail, and I don't have any news of him. We don't know what's happening for him in jail. I'm sorry to say that we don't even know if he is alive or not," Ms Mashali revealed with evident distress.
"It's very hard for us. I really worry about them," she added, referring to her family members who remain in Iran.
Support for Military Intervention
When questioned about her feelings regarding the attacks on Iran that morning, Ms Mashali responded: "We are, all of us, very happy. Unfortunately, I am saying this, but we don't have any choice. No choice. We really needed military help."
She expressed hope that Iran could be made "better" again so that "the young people, and all the people in Iran, have the freedom that they deserve." Ms Mashali believes Iran faces numerous difficulties and feels certain that circumstances will improve if the current regime is overthrown.
International Support for the Cause
A Swiss national, who identified himself only as Nick, explained he had been inspired to join the protest because "the regime is near collapse." He shared: "I used to work with an Iranian journalist, and working with them and seeing the atrocities this regime has created for many years. I left that job ages ago, but the cause still matters to me."
"This is the time to protest. The regime is near collapse. There's a chance to take out this government," he emphasized. When asked about the US and Israeli strikes, Nick commented: "Violence is never the answer, but in this case, this is the only way to deal with that regime - people collaborating, the attacks. This is the only language they understand. The time for negotiation is over with these people."
Political Response from Downing Street
While dozens of demonstrators chanted and sang protest songs opposite the gates of Downing Street, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a statement to the press just a short distance away inside Number 10. Sir Keir announced that British aircraft in the region were "in the sky" as part of "co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies."
The Prime Minister joined the German and French leaders in calling for Iran to "refrain from indiscriminate military strikes" and to seek a "negotiated solution" to the escalating tensions.
Peaceful Demonstration Concludes
The protest, which remained entirely peaceful throughout its duration, lasted approximately three hours and concluded without any arrests being made. The gathering represented one of several international responses to the military action against Iran and the ongoing political situation within the country.
