Published: Mar 01, 2026, 13:30 IST | Updated: Mar 01, 2026, 13:30 IST
Following confirmation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in United States-Israeli strikes, thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets across Tehran and other cities to mourn and protest. Crowds gathered in central squares dressed in black, waving Iranian flags and shouting slogans as demonstrations spread across major urban centres. The reactions inside Iran expose deep societal divisions, with some grieving the loss of a symbolic leader and others expressing relief after years of repression. Around the world, reactions have ranged from official condolences to public demonstrations reflecting both support and condemnation of the violence that led to Khamenei’s death, signaling a moment of intense geopolitical and domestic reflection.