Iran diaspora watches World Cup game with protests, support

Iran national team fans watched the 2-2- draw with New Zealand at the World Cup in Los Angeles, many holding the lion and sun flag in protest at the Islamic Republic.

LOS ANGELES — Fans snuck them into the stadium. Demonstrators waved them outside the security gates. And at watch parties around the city, they appeared whenever the “home” team scored.

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The lion-and-sun flag is associated with Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was seemingly everywhere in this city, home to the largest Iranian diaspora and often referred to as “Tehrangeles,” on Monday as Iran opened its World Cup campaign against New Zealand.

Add NBC News to GoogleThe Iranian community in Los Angeles has deeply mixed feelings about the Iranian team playing in their city04:12But its meaning varied depending on who was carrying it.