Public protests have broken out across many parts of the world as fighting involving Iran intensifies, according to figures compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The data reflects the wave of demonstrations that followed the most extensive military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel in several decades.
ACLED recorded more than 990 protest actions worldwide between February 28 and March 6. These demonstrations reflected sharply divided positions: some expressed support for Iran’s government, others condemned the U.S.–Israeli bombing campaign against Tehran.
The Middle East registered the highest concentration of demonstrations.
In Pakistan, confrontations between demonstrators and security forces turned deadly on March 1, leaving at least 23 people killed. Ten fatalities occurred in Karachi after guards at the U.S. consulate opened fire on protesters who had breached the compound’s outer perimeter. Eleven more deaths were reported in Skardu in the north, where protesters set fire to a United Nations office. Two additional deaths were reported in the capital, Islamabad.
In neighboring Iraq, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of demonstrators sympathetic to Iran who had assembled near the heavily fortified diplomatic district known as the Green Zone in Baghdad, where the United States Embassy in Baghdad is located.
In Lisbon, Iranian expatriates assembled outside the Iranian embassy to mark the developments.
Authorities in the United Kingdom took a different approach. Police barred a pro-Iran march scheduled to take place in London, citing fears of serious confrontation with counter-demonstrators and heightened tensions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Officials noted that the legal threshold required to prohibit a protest is unusually high and said the measure had not been used for 14 years. However, they argued that the risk of disorder was significant enough to justify the decision. The ban also extended to potential counter-protests.
Across the United States, ACLED counted 145 protest events in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. Most of these actions criticized the bombing campaign led by the administration of Donald Trump.
