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Iranians Celebrate After Leader Khamenei Killed in US–Israeli Strike

Iranians took to the streets across the country, expressing jubilation over the leader's death.
Omid Ghoreishi
By
Omid Ghoreishi
Published: 3/1/2026, 1:39:37 AM EST

Videos from Iran show people in different cities across the country celebrating in the streets after Islamic Republic leader Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes during the U.S.–Israel joint military operation on Iran on Feb. 28.

One video from the western city of Abdanan shows people leaning out of car windows and flashing victory signs, as the person filming says, “Congratulations on our freedom,” adding that he is beside himself with joy over Khamenei’s death.

Khamenei led the Islamic Republic from 1989, after the death of the regime’s founding leader, Ruhollah Khomeini. The theocratic regime has been among the most repressive and an ally of other authoritarian regimes, such as China’s, clamping down on dissidents, including through imprisonment and executions.

During the last widespread uprising in December and January, Khamenei’s regime clamped down brutally to stifle the movement, killing more than 32,000 people, according to figures cited by U.S. President Donald Trump.

A woman holds pictures of Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and U.S. President Donald Trump as members of the Iranian community celebrate in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman holds pictures of Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and U.S. President Donald Trump as members of the Iranian community celebrate in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026. Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images
Other videos from Karaj, northwest of Tehran, show people out on the streets dancing to music and cheering loudly, and some captured scenes show people driving around honking repeatedly and whistling.
Another video from Lapuee, near the southwestern city of Shiraz, shows people gathered at the home of one of the young protesters killed during the recent clampdown, celebrating in the aftermath of the death of Khamenei.
In another video from Galehdar, further south from Shiraz, people can be seen celebrating on a square with bonfires in the background, with the person filming saying, “Am I dreaming? Hello new world!”

Internet access and calls are cut off or heavily restricted in large areas of Iran, making it harder to get information out.

Iranian diaspora in many cities around the world came out to celebrate as well, including in Los Angeles, Toronto, Frankfurt, Rome, and many others.

The news of Khamenei’s death was first announced by Israeli officials earlier on Feb. 28, and confirmed by Trump shortly after. Iran’s state media confirmed the news hours later.

Pro-regime demonstrators gather at a square to mourn the death of Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on March 1, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
Pro-regime demonstrators gather at a square to mourn the death of Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on March 1, 2026. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
The regime's media showed scenes of people mourning Khamenei’s death on the streets and at religious sites, including at the prominent Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.

US-Israel Strike

In announcing the military operation on Feb. 28, Trump asked the Iranian people to shelter in place for now, and once the war is finished, to come out and topple the regime.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said.

Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose name has been chanted by protesters in recent demonstrations in different parts of Iran, also conveyed the same message, saying he’d be in communication with Iranians via radio waves if internet and satellite broadcast is cut.

Trump said that the strikes will continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary.”

The U.S. Central Command says the joint operation focuses on Iran's military sites, including air-defense systems, military airfields, and missile and drone launch sites.

Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones against Israel as well as toward neighboring countries hosting U.S. military bases.

From The Epoch Times