Iranians in North America took to the streets, cheering with joy and playing celebratory music after reports emerged that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in US-Israeli strikes, according to video footage verified by AFP.
There was no official confirmation from Iran, but US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social network that “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead.”
Iranians blared music, cheered, clapped, and honked their car horns, according to videos on Telegram verified by AFP. The celebrations began even before Trump’s post, in response to other reports of Khamenei’s death, shortly after 11 pm (1930 GMT), according to multiple witnesses and audio recordings.
The witnesses said at the time that loud cheers echoed across parts of Tehran and residents took to their windows to applaud and play loud music. Loud and sustained whistles and cheers were heard, and fireworks could be seen being launched on videos shared on social media that were verified by AFP. At that point, people were not yet coming out en masse into the streets to celebrate, according to social media.
Many Iranians were fearful after the deadly crackdown on mass anti-government protests last month. The initial wave of protests began in December, sparked by economic woes in the sanctions-hit country, but soon grew into nationwide demonstrations that crested on January 8 and 9, posing one of the largest challenges to Iran’s leaders in years .
The unrest prompted a violent government crackdown that killed thousands of people. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has recorded more than 7,000 deaths, while warning that the full toll is likely far higher . Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fuelled by the United States and Israel.
During the protests, the government had sought to walk a line between acknowledging protesters’ legitimate economic grievances while condemning so-called “rioters.”
The celebrations came amid conflicting reports about Khamenei’s fate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement that there are “increasing signs” that Khamenei is “gone” and that the strikes destroyed his compound . However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei is alive “as far as I know” and that all senior officials except one or two commanders are “safe and sound and alive” .
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at an emergency Security Council meeting that he was “not in a position to confirm” reports of Khamenei’s death . The UN chief condemned the military escalation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities .
