Bay Area Iranian community rallies in response to US-Israel joint strikes

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Calls for regime change in Iran came from the streets of Berkeley Saturday in the wake of the U.S.-Israel joint strikes.

"It's very very hard on our community, but at the same time, we want our voices to be heard," said Peymaneh Mirshafi, who has family in Iran.

"We want the entire world to know the Iranian people have a resistance in Iran (that) has been ready to topple the regime for the past few decades," said Hamid Azimi with Iranian Community of Northern California.

"Let the people of Iran decide on their own future and destiny, that's all," Mirshafi said.

IRAN LIVE UPDATES: Trump confirms Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead

The attack comes after months of widespread anti-government protests, and thousands of Iranians killed in the regime's crackdown.

"We are here to raise the Iranian people's voice to recognize their right to change their regime secular and non nuclear republic," said Nasrin Saifi, who lives in Berkeley.

And, while rally-goers were calling for democratic regime change, their hearts and minds were also with loved ones now caught in a war.

"My cousin's brother-in-law was just lost yesterday. He wanted to free the country. That's why he went to the frontline protesting," Saifi said.