L.A.'s Persian restaurants offer sanctuary, support as Tehrangeles reacts to war

"Everyone here is Iranian right now. It was one week after the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Westwood and its surrounding neighborhoods were pulsing with Iranian pride. Before L.A.'s Persian community grew to become the largest population of Iranians outside of Iran, it was concentrated in Westwood, also known as Tehrangeles."

"Our people [would] rather to be dead than living under the Iranian government ... they don't have food, they don't have any right to live. While some expressed mixed feelings about the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that has killed over 1,300 civilians, according to Iran's United Nations ambassador, many were happy with the U.S. military intervention."

"It's a roller coaster of emotion. It's 90% happiness, but 10% is you think. Flanking the city-designated Persian Square at the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Wilkins Avenue is an established collection of cafes, restaurants and markets that have long served as community hubs for Persians to gather, share a meal and process global events."

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Los Angeles's Iranian community, concentrated in Westwood (known as Tehrangeles), gathered at cafes and restaurants to celebrate and process the event. The neighborhood experienced a surge of Iranian pride, with residents taking to the streets and displaying pro-freedom merchandise. Westwood's Persian establishments, including Meymuni Cafe and Shaherzad Restaurant, served as community gathering spaces where Iranians shared meals and discussed their hopes for political change. Many expressed frustration with the Iranian government and its impact on citizens' lives. However, community members also expressed mixed emotions regarding the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military involvement, with some supporting intervention while others harbored concerns about civilian casualties.

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