Iran Erupts in Celebration Following Supreme Leader Khamenei's Death in US-Israeli Airstrike
Huge celebrations have erupted across various parts of Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike during a wave of joint US-Israeli attacks on the country. The 86-year-old leader's death was confirmed by the state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday, sparking widespread public reactions captured in numerous social media videos.
Statue Toppled and Crowds Cheer in Streets
In footage shared online, a large crowd in Galleh Dar, a city in Iran's Fars province, is seen pulling down a statue of Khamenei. People can be heard cheering and clapping as the statue is dragged to the ground, symbolizing a dramatic shift in public sentiment. Another video filmed in a residential neighborhood near Karaj shows people gathering in the street, dancing and cheering while others sound their car horns in jubilation.
Residents in an apartment block in the Ekbatan district of west Tehran were also captured applauding and cheering from their windows, adding to the scenes of celebration. BBC Verify reports that in southern Fars province, a man was filmed shouting, "I'm dreaming, hello new world" as a crowd celebrated in the background, highlighting the emotional and hopeful atmosphere among some Iranians.
US President Trump Comments on Operation
US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei's death before Iranian state media confirmed it, describing the operation as aimed at "eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." He urged Iranians to stay sheltered, warning that "bombs will be dropping everywhere." In a statement, Trump encouraged Iranians to take over their government, saying, "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."
Additional Casualties Reported
Iran's state-run news agency IRNA also reported that Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law were killed in the strikes, indicating the broader impact of the attacks on his family. Khamenei first took power over Iran as the country's third president in 1981 before being voted in as Supreme Leader in 1989, marking the end of a long and influential tenure.
The events have triggered significant international attention and raised questions about the future political landscape in Iran, as celebrations continue to unfold across the nation.
