Hundreds of demonstrators converged near the United States Embassy in Ottawa on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in a show of solidarity with military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran earlier that day. The rally, which drew an estimated crowd of around 1,000 participants, was organized to express support for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decisive actions.
Symbols of Opposition and Gratitude
Attendees prominently displayed the lion and sun banner, a historic symbol representing Iran prior to the Islamic Revolution and widely used by opponents of the current regime. Many protesters also waved American and Israeli flags, while holding signs expressing gratitude toward the leaders of both nations. Chants of "Thank you, U.S.A" and "Thank you, Israel" echoed through the streets, accompanied by calls for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has emerged as a symbolic figure in recent anti-government protests in Iran.
Emotional Testimonies from Participants
Mozeeh Malek, an Iranian student residing in Ottawa, shared his perspective with the crowd. "My people were alone. We asked for foreign countries to help us. The regime killed almost 40,000 innocent people. We were asking, begging Israel and the U.S.A. to help us bring peace to my country," he stated. "We're so happy that President Trump respected and answered our request and finally bombed my country ... We are the people who will choose our destiny, our regime, and the government that we want."
Another participant, Kian Zane, described the day as "blessed," emphasizing that after weeks of appeals for international assistance, Trump had fulfilled his promise. "Right now, they're doing an intervention and helping the people of Iran to take back their homeland from these Islamic tyrants," Zane told reporters.
Context of the Military Strikes
The rally occurred just hours after coordinated military operations by U.S. and Israeli forces targeted Iranian facilities. President Trump publicly urged Iranian protesters to "seize control of your destiny," while justifying the strikes by citing Iran's continued nuclear program development and missile capabilities that could potentially threaten U.S. territory.
These military actions followed a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities on domestic anti-government protests. Official reports from Iran indicated 3,117 fatalities and approximately 3,000 arrests, though human rights organizations like Amnesty International suggest the actual death toll may be significantly higher, possibly reaching tens of thousands.
Iran's Retaliation and Ongoing Tensions
In response to the strikes, Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israeli and American military bases in the region, escalating tensions further. Despite this retaliation, protesters in Ottawa remained optimistic about the potential for regime change in Iran, viewing the military intervention as a necessary step toward liberation.
The atmosphere at the embassy was charged with emotion as participants laid flowers along the perimeter fences and some threw roses when embassy staff briefly emerged to observe the gathering. At one point, the Star Spangled Banner resonated through downtown Ottawa via loudspeakers, amplifying the demonstrators' message of appreciation for American involvement.
