Iran has extended an offer to send rapid response teams to help combat the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, despite the longstanding tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Why It Matters
The wildfires have displaced thousands of residents and sparked a global response, with countries like Canada and Mexico providing assistance. Tehran’s offer is notable as it demonstrates the potential for cooperation between adversaries during times of crisis.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration announced its readiness to send firefighters to California to assist with the wildfires that began on January 7. The fires have consumed approximately 40,000 acres, destroying homes and businesses and claiming at least 24 lives. Major blazes in Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst have forced widespread evacuations, and investigators are working to determine the fires’ causes.
According to Iran International, Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Pezeshkian administration, stated: “As the Iranian Red Crescent Society has announced, we are ready to dispatch rapid response teams to assist in combating the fires in California.” The Iranian Red Crescent Society, part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, is known for its expertise in disaster response, particularly earthquakes.
This offer of aid comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as President-elect Trump has pledged to impose “maximum pressure” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This follows Trump’s 2018 withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Context and Reactions
Iranian state media has linked the LA fires to the war in Gaza, portraying them as divine punishment for U.S. support of Israel. Mohajerani’s statement echoed this sentiment, referencing “the sorrow of thousands of displaced people” caused by “selfishness and war-mongering.”
The offer of assistance may also reflect Iran’s connection to Los Angeles, home to a significant Iranian population. Often referred to as “Tehrangeles,” Los Angeles County hosts more than 100,000 Iranians, the largest Persian community outside of Iran, according to the New York Times.
Voices of Solidarity
Fatemeh Mohajerani remarked: “Human beings cannot remain indifferent to the destruction of homes and natural resources of other nations, whether caused by war or the wrath of nature. We sympathize with the people of California who have lost their homes and possessions to the fires, enduring this devastation brought on by severe climate change.”
The Iranian Red Crescent Society shared on X, formerly Twitter, that its president, Pirhossein Kolivand, had communicated with Cliff Holtz, president of the American Red Cross, expressing readiness to dispatch rapid response teams and equipment.
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref emphasized: “In today’s interconnected world, one person’s pain is everyone’s pain. We extend condolences to those affected by the wildfires in California and urge urgent global action to address crises like these and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.”
Mahdi Arabsadegh, an Iranian industrial consultant, posted: “In these challenging times, we, the people of Iran, stand in solidarity with our American friends. Your pain is ours. Stay strong; we are with you. #UnityInAdversity”
What Happens Next
It remains uncertain whether the U.S. will accept Iran’s offer to send rapid response teams to assist in fighting the LA wildfires.
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