Middle East Conflict: How did Iranians react to Khamenei's death in US-Israel airstrikes?

Tehran: Iranian media on Sunday officially announced that the death of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the age of 86 in joint air strikes by the US and Israel. Tehran initially denied these claims, but government agencies later confirmed them, calling him a "martyr." 

After the news that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in a US-Israel strike, Iranians have been seen taking to the streets, although the reaction is deeply mixed but powerful. 

Were Iranians Celebrating?

In several major cities including Tehran, Shiraz, Karaj and Isfahan, some people took to the streets with cheers, dance and honking car horns, expressing joy that what many viewed as decades of repressive rule might finally be over. Videos circulating on social media showed groups of people clapping, waving flags and even setting off fireworks.

Many of the chants captured in clips shared online were not just celebratory, but defiant, with some youths shouting "Freedom".

What About The Iranians Who Mourned?

While many voiced relief and even celebration on the streets, there were also deeply emotional scenes of grief, especially among supporters of the state and religious establishment. 

On Iranian television, a news anchor broke down in tears after announcing the leader’s death, declaring, “Revenge is coming soon.”

"The devil of the world was celebrating, and everybody here has managed to brainwash, but this is not over. Trump is going to pay a price paid by no American President at all times, paid by no Zionist of all time, paid by no criminal of all time. Trump is going to see, because revenge is coming, and revenge is coming soon, and revenge is coming after Trump, after everybody who facilitated this assassination. He will pay the ultimate price, and it’s not only by the millions of Iranians, it’s not only by the millions in resistance countries, it’s also by those who have newly joined the resistance," she said.

Mourning spread inside the Imam Reza Shrine as crowds reacted to reports announcing the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei

In the northeastern city of Mashhad, people gathered in public squares and outside major shrines to mourn, holding portraits and crying.

Did Iranians Abroad Also React?

Iranian communities outside the country responded strongly as well. In places such as Los Angeles and Toronto, gatherings broke out among diaspora groups who saw the news as a moment of hope for political change in Iran.

Was Iran’s supreme leader really killed?

Iran’s long-time supreme leader, 
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been confirmed dead on Sunday by the Iranian state media following a joint military operation carried out by the US and Israel.

The attack reportedly took place on February 28, when airstrikes struck Khamenei’s office and other strategic sites in Tehran. 

The Iranian government has also declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holiday across the country.

What did Trump say?

Just hours prior, US President Donald Trump had also claimed on social media that Khamenei had been killed in the US-Israel joint missile strikes. 

Donald Trump said on social media described it as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”