Mayor Sharona Nazarian speaks out amid renewed unrest in Iran

Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian issued a message of solidarity this week with the people of Iran, responding to renewed economic strain and political unrest that has intensified pressure on everyday life across the country.

In a statement shared publicly on Instagram, Nazarian spoke to the deepening hardship facing Iranian families, citing inflation, shortages of basic goods, and growing instability. Her remarks come amid renewed demonstrations and rising public frustration inside Iran, particularly in major cities including Tehran.

“My heart is with the people of Iran during this deeply painful moment,” Nazarian wrote. “The Iranian people are suffering under immense economic hardship, with soaring inflation, severe shortages of basic resources, and growing instability that has made daily life increasingly difficult for families across the country.”

Nazarian, a Persian American Jewish woman born in Iran, has long used her public platform to advocate for human rights and democratic values. In her statement, she emphasized that her advocacy is rooted in personal history as well as civic responsibility.

“For years, I have tried to be a voice for the people of Iran and to stand in solidarity with those who are courageously calling for dignity, human rights, and self-determination,” she wrote.

The mayor also highlighted Beverly Hills’ close ties to events unfolding overseas. The city is home to one of the largest Iranian diaspora communities outside Iran, a population shaped largely by the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and replaced Iran’s monarchy with clerical rule. That transformation triggered widespread emigration, particularly among religious minorities, political dissidents, and professionals who later established deep roots in Southern California.

More than four decades later, Iran continues to face recurring cycles of unrest driven by economic pressure, political repression, and social restrictions. Recent protests have been fueled by currency collapse, unemployment, and dissatisfaction with clerical governance, with younger generations increasingly vocal in opposing the status quo.

Nazarian said Beverly Hills stands firmly with those voices.

“Beverly Hills is home to one of the largest Iranian communities outside of Iran. We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you,” she wrote. “We stand with the will of the Iranian people and support their right to peaceful expression and a better future.”

She concluded her message with a call for hope and unity, extending her wishes beyond Iran’s borders.

“I pray for a free, safe, and peaceful Iran, and for lasting peace and stability throughout the region. May hope prevail over hardship, and unity over division.”