Protests, including in Sacramento, have erupted following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, operations identified as “Epic Fury” and “Roaring Lion.” The strikes occurred just after sunrise in western Iran and targeted military and nuclear facilities, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The Iranian government confirmed that the strikes resulted in the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.“There’s absolutely no justification for it,” said Louise Mehler, who attended one of the protests in Northern California. “It’s simply a big bully trying to show that he can still make trouble.”The military action follows months of rising strain between the United States, Israel and Iran, including stalled nuclear negotiations and escalating proxy conflicts across the Middle East. The developments have prompted concern among some residents about the potential for broader conflict. “I don’t think the government in Iran is wonderful at all,” said April Ford, who also protested the strikes. “But that doesn’t mean going in there and invading is the answer. I think it could create chaos.”Some elected officials have also raised questions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff have expressed concern over whether the administration should have sought congressional authorization before launching the strikes.Sahar Razavi, director of the Middle Eastern Studies Center at Sacramento State, said the current situation reflects years of geopolitical tension and strategic positioning in the region.“Iran’s power is best understood through the lens of efforts to contain Iranian influence and how that dynamic plays out on the broader international stage,” Razavi said.Razavi noted that both Trump administrations pursued what was described as a “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign against Iran.“That campaign created significant economic strain,” Razavi said. “But economic pressure does not necessarily translate into direct political pressure on the regime itself.”Inside Iran, an ongoing economic crisis has fueled months of domestic unrest. A sharply weakened currency, high inflation and rising costs for essential goods have driven shopkeepers, laborers and other residents into the streets in cities across the country, representing one of the most sustained waves of protest in recent years.When asked whether the latest strikes could escalate into full-scale war, Razavi said the situation appears increasingly volatile.“If you had asked me that two days ago, I might have answered differently,” she said. “But at this point, the indicators suggest the possibility of a serious regional conflict. If reports that the Supreme Leader has been killed are confirmed, that could produce consequences opposite of those intended.”At the time she gave that response, the Iranian government had not yet confirmed Khamenei’s death.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channelPHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Protests, including in Sacramento, have erupted following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, operations identified as “Epic Fury” and “Roaring Lion.”

The strikes occurred just after sunrise in western Iran and targeted military and nuclear facilities, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The Iranian government confirmed that the strikes resulted in the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“There’s absolutely no justification for it,” said Louise Mehler, who attended one of the protests in Northern California. “It’s simply a big bully trying to show that he can still make trouble.”

The military action follows months of rising strain between the United States, Israel and Iran, including stalled nuclear negotiations and escalating proxy conflicts across the Middle East. The developments have prompted concern among some residents about the potential for broader conflict.

“I don’t think the government in Iran is wonderful at all,” said April Ford, who also protested the strikes. “But that doesn’t mean going in there and invading is the answer. I think it could create chaos.”

Some elected officials have also raised questions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff have expressed concern over whether the administration should have sought congressional authorization before launching the strikes.

Sahar Razavi, director of the Middle Eastern Studies Center at Sacramento State, said the current situation reflects years of geopolitical tension and strategic positioning in the region.

“Iran’s power is best understood through the lens of efforts to contain Iranian influence and how that dynamic plays out on the broader international stage,” Razavi said.

Razavi noted that both Trump administrations pursued what was described as a “maximum pressure” sanctions campaign against Iran.

“That campaign created significant economic strain,” Razavi said. “But economic pressure does not necessarily translate into direct political pressure on the regime itself.”

Inside Iran, an ongoing economic crisis has fueled months of domestic unrest. A sharply weakened currency, high inflation and rising costs for essential goods have driven shopkeepers, laborers and other residents into the streets in cities across the country, representing one of the most sustained waves of protest in recent years.

When asked whether the latest strikes could escalate into full-scale war, Razavi said the situation appears increasingly volatile.

“If you had asked me that two days ago, I might have answered differently,” she said. “But at this point, the indicators suggest the possibility of a serious regional conflict. If reports that the Supreme Leader has been killed are confirmed, that could produce consequences opposite of those intended.”

At the time she gave that response, the Iranian government had not yet confirmed Khamenei’s death.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel