A U-Haul driver who plowed through an anti-Iranian regime protest in Los Angeles has finally spoken out, claiming he’s the victim while facing federal investigation for what many witnessed as a deliberate attack on peaceful demonstrators.
Story Highlights
- Calor Madanescht, 48, drove U-Haul truck into crowd of 3,000 Iranian protesters in Westwood on January 11, 2026
- Driver now claims he’s the victim despite causing chaos at peaceful solidarity rally supporting Iranian freedom fighters
- FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force actively investigating potential political motives while LAPD downplays incident
- Protesters fought back against driver, smashing windshield and attacking him after he endangered lives
Driver’s Controversial Claims Surface After Arrest
Calor Madanescht broke his silence following his arrest for reckless driving after plowing his U-Haul truck into hundreds of Iranian-American protesters. The 48-year-old driver now portrays himself as a victim, despite video evidence showing his vehicle careening through a peaceful crowd supporting Iran’s freedom movement. His truck displayed a sign reading “No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah,” suggesting potential political motivations that contradict his victim narrative.
The incident occurred during a massive solidarity rally in Westwood, where thousands gathered to support Iranian protesters fighting against the Islamic Republic’s brutal regime. Madanescht’s actions transformed what should have been a peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights into a chaotic scene reminiscent of vehicle-ramming attacks worldwide.
Protesters Defend Themselves Against Dangerous Driver
Eyewitness accounts reveal that protesters immediately surrounded Madanescht’s vehicle after he drove into their ranks on Veteran Avenue near Wilshire Boulevard. Patriots defending their right to peaceful assembly smashed the truck’s windshield and physically confronted the driver before police intervened. Protester Sean Zarrabi accurately described the situation, stating the driver “tried to kill people,” contradicting official attempts to minimize the severity of Madanescht’s actions.
The crowd’s response demonstrates the kind of self-defense Americans should expect when facing potential terrorist attacks. Rather than cowering, these Iranian-Americans stood their ground against what appeared to be a deliberate assault on their constitutional right to assembly. One protester sustained minor injuries, though officials later claimed no one was directly struck by the truck.
Federal Investigation Contradicts Local Police Assessment
While LAPD Captain Richard Gabaldon dismissed the incident as stemming from a “crowd altercation” rather than political terrorism, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force launched an active investigation into Madanescht’s motives. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed federal agents were working to determine the driver’s true intentions, suggesting authorities recognize the potential severity that local police seem eager to downplay.
This disconnect between local and federal law enforcement raises concerns about adequate protection for Americans exercising their constitutional rights. The Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles has legitimate fears about the Islamic Republic’s reach into American communities, making thorough investigation of such incidents crucial for national security and public safety.
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U-Haul truck drives into crowd at Los Angeles anti-Iranian regime protest
U-Haul drives into crowd at Los Angeles anti-Iranian regime protest
U-Haul driver arrested after incident at Westwood protest
