Following strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026 by a joint military operation conducted by Israel and the United States against the Government of Iran, including the assassination of Ali Khamenei, the long-time Supreme Leader of Iran, protests opposing the war were held in several countries. In addition to Khamenei's death, the strikes targeted Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities, and government infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of other high-ranking officials.
Protests erupted in multiple countries, with demonstrators condemning the attacks as acts of aggression and calling for an end to foreign intervention, and some expressing support for the government of Iran. In Iran, pro-government rallies occurred in major cities such as Tehran, where crowds gathered to mourn Khamenei and denounce the strikes. Internationally, anti-war groups organized demonstrations in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Violence also occurred in some locations, including near U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq and Pakistan.
The demonstrations have varied in scale, from hundreds in U.S. cities to thousands in Tehran. In contrast, celebratory demonstrations supporting the strikes, particularly among Iranian diaspora communities opposed to the Islamic Republic, have also occurred but are distinct from these anti-war actions.
Background Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated Israeli–U.S. military campaign against Iran, was launched on 28 February 2026. The operation was justified by U.S. president Donald Trump as a response to Iran's nuclear program and its suppression of domestic protests in January 2026, which had resulted in thousands of deaths. Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death, prompting retaliatory missile strikes by Iran on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region.
The protestors have framed the strikes as violations of international law.
Involved parties Iran In Tehran, pro-government demonstrators marched on 28 February, waving Islamic Republic flags and chanting against the U.S. and Israel. Similar rallies occurred in Yasuj, where crowds mourned Khamenei. State media reported gatherings in Enqelab Square on 1 March.
Pro-government rallies
Since the onset of the 2026 Iran war, Iranians have held nightly rallies in support of the Iranian government. According to The Guardian, more than 850 pro-government demonstrations had taken place across Iran by March 2026. According to Iranian media, these gatherings have continued for 198 consecutive nights so far.فریاد اتحاد و استقامت در جمعات شبانه مردم Retrieved 15 Sep 2026
Israel On 28 March 2026, anti-war protests broke out across Israel after the Supreme Court ordered police to allow the protests. Police clashed with the protesters at the Habima Square in Tel Aviv despite the court order. 22 people were arrested during protests in twenty locations including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
On 4 April, the Israeli High Court of Justice ordered the Israel Police to allow anti-war protests in Israel. The Israel Police forcibly dispersed an anti-war protest at the Habima Square in Tel Aviv, defying the recent high court order. This followed protesters' defiance of a previous order by the Israel Defense Forces to limit gatherings to 150 people.
United States
Demonstrations occurred in multiple cities in the United States on 28 February. In Washington, D.C., hundreds protested near the White House. In New York City, pro-Iranian protests took place in Times Square. Protests were also held in other cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.
The protests were sponsored mainly by a coalition of left-wing groups critical of the United States' involvement in the strikes. These groups include the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, the 50501 movement, American Muslims for Palestine, The People's Forum, Palestinian Youth Movement, Code Pink, Black Alliance for Peace, Democratic Socialists of America, and the National Iranian American Council, who all gathered to denounce the United States' Iran strikes as illegal and a violation of international law.
Actress and activist Jane Fonda joined anti-war demonstrators sponsored by these groups at a Los Angeles rally. On 28 March, millions of protesters joined the third "No Kings" protest, with anti-war sentiment over the conflict in Iran being one of the major issues.
In contrast, some in the Iranian-American diaspora community held celebration rallies across the country. A poll conducted by Zogby analytics and commissioned by the National Iranian American Council, however, has shown "nearly two-thirds" of the Iranian-American diaspora do not support the war after being "near evenly divided at the start of the conflict".
Washington D.C.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of the White House since 28 February, both in support and in opposition to the war. Protests have persisted despite severe weather.
On 4 March, former Marine Brian McGinnis interrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Iran in the Hart Senate Office Building with shouts of “America does not want to send its sons and daughters to war for Israel!” US senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) attempted to assist Capitol police in forcibly removing him, breaking his arm in the process.
On 18 March, a protest from Win Without War included the display of children backpacks on Capitol Hill in protest of an airstrike on an Minab elementary school that killed 160 children. Additionally, several Democrats in Congress attended the protest.
On 7 April, a protest was held outside the White House despite the ceasefire announcement to call for Trump's removal from office, accusing him of war crimes.
On 21 April, over 62 veterans and their families were arrested in the Cannon House Office Building after a protest organized by several veterans' group occupied the building.
On 21 July, protesters interrupted a hearing in the United States Senate by U.S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the wars in Iran and Palestine, with the protesters removed by police.
Arizona On 2 March in Phoenix, protesters gathered at the Arizona State Capitol, both in support and in opposition to the war.
California Since 28 February in Los Angeles, protesters gathered outside Los Angeles City Hall, joined by various speakers including Jane Fonda on 28 February and Party for Socialism and Liberation on 3 March.
Since 28 February in San Francisco, hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the Federal Building. Over 1,000 people marched down Market Street on 28 February. On 7 April, activists in San Francisco, California organize an emergency anti-war rally at the Federal Building to protest against Trump’s threats and rhetoric of military action against Iranian infrastructure and nuclear power plants.
On 7 April, protests were held in other cities in California such as San Diego and Chico even despite Trump later backing off on his threats.
On the evening of 18 April 2026, during the Coachella festival, The Strokes denounced the strikes and accused the Central Intelligence Agency of using violence to promote regime change while performing "Oblivius".
Hawaii Since 28 February, protests were held in Honolulu, Hawaii, including the ʻIolani Palace. One protest called “Stop the U.S. War on Iran”, organized by Refuse Fascism Hawaii, was held on Ala Moana Boulevard. On 2 March, a protest was held at the Hawaii State Capitol, with Iranian Americans opposing the war.
Illinois Since 28 February in Chicago, protesters gathered in various locations, Large crowds gathered in Federal Plaza along with several anti-war organizations, before marching downtown on 28 February. An "emergency protest" was held on 2 March. Students at the Evanston Township High School staged a walk-out protest against the war and other actions by the Trump administration on 27 March.
Iowa A protest was held on 2 March in the East Village area of Des Moines, Iowa against the US-Israel strikes. Additionally, over 100 protesters gathered at the Iowa Capitol.
Michigan A protest was held on 28 February on Jefferson Avenue to protest the US strikes. Additionally, protests were also held at Hart Plaza and Wayne State University. On Easter, a protest is held in downtown Detroit to protest the US-Israeli airstrikes.
Minnesota In Minneapolis, protesters, including Iranian protesters in support of the strikes, gathered downtown. Members of the Minnesota DFL Party condemned the war, calling it "unlawful" and "illegal".
New York Since 28 February in New York City, various protests across the city have taken place. Around 1,000 people gathered in Times Square on 28 February in a "Freedom for Iran" rally. In Manhattan, protesters gathered at Columbus Circle in a "Stop the War" rally. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has increased security at "sensitive locations" across the city.
On 7 March, an explosive device was thrown outside of Zohran Mamdani's official residence at Gracie Mansion during a counter protest. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
On 14 April 90 were arrested during a protest against arms sales to Israel in Manhattan organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, the group says that those who were arrested included whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actress Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés.
Nevada Veterans hold a Veterans Speak Out gathering at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City, Nevada, U.S., to honor the U.S. troops who were killed during the Iran war. Additionally, veterans also criticize the war as unconstitutional, citing Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
Pennsylvania In Philadelphia, protesters gathered outside Philadelphia City Hall, joined by the Philly Iranians group.
Texas On 28 February – 1 March, protesters gathered in Houston both in support and in opposition to the war.
Washington On 28 February, hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Seattle, with support from Washington senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. Iranian protesters in support of the strikes held a vigil for protesters killed in Iran at Seattle City Hall on 2 March. On 7 April, a protest is held at the Seattle City Hall in Seattle.
Other countries
Australia
The group Democratic Solidarity of Iranians organized a protest outside the United States consulate in Sydney on 6 March, where they were met by counter-protesters. The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition organized an anti-war protest at Sydney Town Hall on 14 March. On 15 March, the South Australian Greens organized a rally attended by 300 people outside of the South Australia Parliament House in Adelaide, demanding an end to Australian involvement with the US-Israeli war effort. On the morning 8 April, approximately 10 activists blocked the entrance to the Adelaide headquarters of the military contractor BAE Systems Australia for around three hours, with one chaining himself to the entrance gates.
Bangladesh Pro-Iran demonstration was organized by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on 1 March condemning Khamenei's death and demanding the intervention of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Anti-war demonstrations were staged by Ganosanhati Andolan in Dhaka on 6 March, demanding Bangladeshi government's initiative to end the "sacrilegious war" against Iran. Anti-war signs were also featured in Bengali New Year parade on 14 April.
France On 15 March, more than 85 co-ordinated rallies against military operations in Iran, Lebanon and Palestine were held across France. The group the collective Femmes, Vie, Liberté Nantes called for a rally in Place Royale, Nantes on 28 March, denouncing the war as "illegal" while calling for democracy and secularism within Iran.
Germany