London Protester with Family in Iranian Jail Supports Military Action
An Iranian woman who participated in a Central London demonstration on Saturday has revealed her nephew remains imprisoned in Iran, with his fate unknown, as she declared recent air strikes against the country were the "only choice" available to world leaders.
Westminster Rally Coincides with Coordinated Attacks
Just hours after United States and Israeli forces launched joint military strikes against Tehran and other Iranian cities, protesters gathered in Westminster to demand regime change in the Middle Eastern nation. The demonstration had been organized prior to the morning attacks, which Washington and Jerusalem described as "pre-emptive" actions aimed at encouraging Iranians to overthrow their government.
The group assembled outside Downing Street, where many participants held placards featuring photographs of Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, before marching through Whitehall. Organizers led call-and-response chants including "What do we want?... Regime change" and "Who do we want?... Reza Pahlavi."
Numerous protesters waved Iranian flags, while several displayed signs proclaiming Pahlavi as the country's rightful leader. One prominent banner read: "This is the final battle, Pahlavi will return."
Personal Tragedy Behind Political Protest
Iranian national Maryam Mashali, 41, explained her decision to join the protest stemmed from concern for her country, its freedom, and its people. Ms Mashali escaped Iran and sought asylum in Turkey, where she lived for eight years before relocating to the United Kingdom ten months ago.
Her parents, sister, and many friends remain in Iran, while her nephew has become one of the country's many detained dissidents. "My sister's son is in jail," Ms Mashali revealed. "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."
Regarding her family still in Iran, she added: "It's very hard for us... I really worry about them."
'No Choice' But Military Intervention
When questioned about the morning attacks on Iran, Ms Mashali expressed surprising support: "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 but feels certain conditions will improve if the current regime is overthrown.
International Support for Regime Change
A Swiss national identifying himself only as Nick explained his participation in the protest stemmed from conviction that "the regime is near collapse." He referenced previous work with an Iranian journalist, stating: "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," Nick emphasized. "The regime is near collapse... There's a chance to take out this government."
Regarding the US-Israeli strikes, he offered a nuanced perspective: "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 Context and Official Response
While dozens of demonstrators chanted and sang protest songs opposite Downing Street's gates, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a statement to press inside Number 10, just a stone's throw away.
Sir Keir confirmed 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 German and French leaders in calling for Iran to "refrain from indiscriminate military strikes" and pursue a "negotiated solution."
The peaceful protest lasted approximately three hours, concluding without any arrests being made.
