Students, veterans, politicians rally on Pentacrest over Iran war More than 40 individuals, including Iowa City residents and University of Iowa students, gathered on the Pentacrest on March 8 to protest U.S. military involvement in Iran. The demonstration followed a prolonged conflict that began in late February, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iranian targets, citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and allied nations in the Middle East, including Israel and several Gulf states. At least six U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a base in Kuwait on March 1, with two of the casualties from Iowa. Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as its new supreme leader, according to NBC News. Protesters outside the Old Capitol carried posters demanding an end to the conflict, with slogans such as “Stop Israel Before WW3” and “Give peace a chance.” American and Palestinian flags waved alongside a dove emblem, as demonstrators called for an end to the war. For many attendees, the protest evoked memories of past anti-war movements, including the Vietnam War. Allan Hogue, a Vietnam War veteran, reflected on his military experience and warned that continued public opposition could prevent a similarly prolonged conflict. “We do not need an unwinnable, forever war,” Hogue said. “We lost the war, and we left in disgrace. We learned nothing.” Sue Thompson, who organizes protests with Veterans for Peace, a nonprofit advocating nonviolent solutions, criticized the attacks as distractions from other national issues.#mojtaba_khamenei #pentacrest #allan_hogue #veterans_for_peace #travis_terrell
