TEHRAN – Following Israeli airstrikes and Israeli airstrikes at Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 22 and 23, a wave of mass protests has flowed a lot around the world.
The strikes targeting major Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan have sparked rage among civil society groups, peace activists and anti-war organizations, and are wary of the risks of local conflict.
International Mobilization: Calls for Peace and Restraint
Some of the biggest demonstrations took place in Europe. In The Hague, Netherlands, an estimated 5,000 demonstrators (protesters estimated to have been held in anti-Natus protests) focused on condemning the US attack on Iran.
People will be attending the demonstration before the NAGO Summit, which will be held in the Hague, Netherlands, June 22, 2025
Protesters criticized the continued militarization of international diplomacy, warned of the devastating consequences of West Asia’s escalation and called for the dissolution of NATO.
In Dublin, Ireland, there are dozens of protesters recruiting Iranian expatriates, Irish peace groups and student activists mined at O’Connell Square. The chants of “Hands-Off Iran” and “Free Palestine” echoed on the streets, highlighting the widespread disapproval of Israeli attacks and Western accomplices.
Over a dozen cities have witnessed coordinated protests in the United States. In San Francisco, hundreds gathered at Embarcadero Plaza to condemn what the US government calls “illegal attacks” and accusing Washington of committing a war crime.
Protesters held signs that read “There’s no more blood for oil” and “Stop Iran’s bombing,” but speakers from anti-war organizations called for an immediate halt of US troops in the area.
A similar scene unfolded in Salt Lake City, where nearly 200 protesters gathered outside the Utah State Capitol. Protesters, organized by a group of local left-wing students, opposed the broader path to war and urged lawmakers to refuse further military escalation.
New York City saw hundreds of marching through Manhattan, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-war slogans. “Stop the war with Iran,” read the placards carried by the protesters. Outside the White House in Washington, D.C., protesters gathered to condemn the Trump administration’s role in what they described as a reckless and illegal act of war.
Asia: Solidarity and anger
In Western Asia and elsewhere on the vast continent, demonstrators expressed solidarity with Iran, expressing strong opposition to both Israeli strikes and US intervention. In Karachi, Pakistan, protesters carried portraits of leaders of the Islamic Revolution. Similar gatherings in Beirut and other Arab capitals featured the flags of Iran, Palestine and Hezbollah, calling for armed resistance and regional unity to what is widely described as Western imperialism.
Small demonstrations have also been reported in Tokyo, Athens, Manila and Jakarta, reflecting the global reach of anti-war sentiment.
NGO coordination: Advocacy across the street
In addition to street protests, a wide network of anti-Israel and anti-war NGOs have launched a series of advocacy campaigns to end hostilities. Organizations such as CodePink, Palestine Solonity Campaign (PSC) and the Adalah Justice project coordinated social media drives, petitions and council outreach.
Additionally, CodePink activists in New York highlighted the use of weapons manufactured by the bombing, linking them to domestic crackdowns and calling for Americans to hold the government accountable.
In London, the PSC gathered outside Parliament demanding Israel to sell British arms. Meanwhile, the Adala Judicial Project urged constituencies to pressure US lawmakers to refuse further military aid and export of arms to both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Escalation and local fallout
Recent US airstrikes have marked one of the most significant escalations in US-Iran tensions since the early 2020s. US officials argued that the attack caused “monologic damage” to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but independent analysts said it was likely that underground construction of the facility had reduced the actual impact.
However, Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate, accusing the strike of a serious violation of international law. As part of its response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) launched a wave of missile attacks targeting key Israeli sites, including Ben Gurion Airport.
Additionally, regional states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, have issued statements urging detention, but Russia condemned the US attack and reaffirmed its support for Iran at an emergency diplomatic conference in Moscow.
The global response to the strike highlights deep public unrest in West Asia’s new militarism. The message is clear, with voices calling for diplomacy of war across the continent. The world is seeking emissions. As the government weighs the next move, the ground swell of protest serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of conflict and the urgency of peace.