Iranians Celebrate Reports of Khamenei’s Death in North America and Tehran

Iranian expatriates across North America took to the streets in celebration following unverified reports of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, with video footage verified by AFP showing crowds cheering and playing music.

The celebrations occurred despite the absence of official confirmation from Iranian authorities. US President Donald Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform that “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead,” though Tehran has not corroborated the claim.

Spontaneous Gatherings

Videos circulating on Telegram and verified by AFP showed Iranians in North America blaring music, cheering, clapping, and honking car horns in spontaneous gatherings.

According to multiple witnesses and audio recordings, similar scenes began unfolding in parts of Tehran shortly after 11 pm (1930 GMT) on Saturday, even before Trump’s statement. Witnesses reported loud cheers echoing across neighbourhoods, with residents leaning out of windows to applaud and play music at high volume.

Social media videos verified by AFP captured sustained whistling, cheering, and fireworks being launched in some areas of the Iranian capital. However, according to witnesses, people had not yet begun gathering in large numbers on the streets.

Context of Recent Unrest

The celebratory scenes come against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Iran, where many citizens remain fearful following a violent crackdown on mass anti-government protests last month.

The wave of demonstrations began in December, initially triggered by economic hardships in the sanctions-stricken country. The protests quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations that peaked on January 8 and 9, presenting one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.

Government response to the unrest was swift and severe. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has documented more than 7,000 deaths, though it warns the actual toll is likely considerably higher. Iranian officials acknowledge over 3,000 deaths but attribute the violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly fueled by the United States and Israel.

During the protest period, the government attempted to balance acknowledging legitimate economic grievances of demonstrators while condemning those it labelled as “rioters.”

As of Saturday night, Iranian state media has not reported on Khamenei’s status or the celebrations, leaving the situation uncertain and awaiting official clarification from Tehran.