(Jewish Voice News) As Fox News reported, a tense demonstration against Iran’s ruling regime in Los Angeles turned violent Sunday when a U-Haul truck drove into a large crowd of protesters, prompting demonstrators to surround the vehicle, smash its windshield, and assault the suspected driver with flag poles before police intervened.

Video circulating online shows protesters rushing toward the truck as it moved through the gathering, with chants echoing as the vehicle became boxed in by the crowd. At least one person climbed onto the truck and repeatedly stomped on its windshield, while others thrust flag poles bearing Iranian flags through an open passenger-side window, appearing to jab at the man inside, according to footage highlighted by Fox News.

As Fox News reported, protesters were also seen ripping down a banner attached to the truck that read: “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.” The message referenced opposition to both Iran’s current clerical leadership and its former monarchy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TJV NEWS | The Jewish Voice (@jewishvoice)

The driver attempted to exit the vehicle through the driver-side door, but demonstrators forced it shut as the crowd pressed in. Los Angeles police eventually pushed through the mass of people and took the adult male driver into custody. Authorities have not yet released his identity.

The Los Angeles Police Department said the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. near Veteran Avenue by the Federal Building in the Westwood neighborhood. As Fox News reported, police confirmed that one adult male was struck by the vehicle, but no serious injuries were reported. The individual was treated at the scene by paramedics, and no one was transported to a hospital.

Additional videos shared on social media appeared to show the U-Haul moving quickly through a tightly packed crowd as people screamed, with one person clinging to the side of the truck and pounding on a window while it continued forward, Fox News noted.

Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in Westwood as part of a march supporting protesters in Iran, amid growing unrest overseas. The Iranian American Republican Council released a statement condemning the incident, calling it a “terrorist attack” and urging U.S. authorities to conduct a full investigation and hold those responsible accountable, Fox News reported.

The Los Angeles protest unfolded against the backdrop of escalating turmoil in Iran, where demonstrations that initially erupted over economic grievances have expanded into a nationwide challenge to the country’s clerical leadership.