Iranians celebrate after reports of Ayatollah’s death

Iranians in parts of North America and within Iran were seen celebrating following unconfirmed reports that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died.

Video footage verified by AFP showed crowds cheering, clapping, playing music and honking car horns in cities abroad. Similar scenes were reported in parts of Tehran, where witnesses said loud cheers and whistles echoed through neighbourhoods as residents stepped onto balconies and opened windows to applaud and blast celebratory songs.

Although there was no official confirmation from Iranian authorities, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Khamenei was dead, describing him as “one of the most evil people in history.”

According to verified social media videos, fireworks were set off and sustained cheers rang out shortly after 11 p.m. local time, even before Trump’s post, as earlier reports of the Supreme Leader’s death began circulating.

However, large-scale street gatherings inside Iran did not immediately materialise, with many residents reportedly remaining cautious. The celebrations come against the backdrop of a recent deadly government crackdown on mass anti-government protests.

The unrest, which began in December over worsening economic conditions in the sanctions-hit country, evolved into nationwide demonstrations that peaked in early January, posing one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s leadership in years.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has documented more than 7,000 deaths linked to the crackdown, while noting the true figure may be higher. Iranian officials, however, have acknowledged over 3,000 deaths and attributed the violence to what they describe as terrorist acts backed by the United States and Israel.

As uncertainty continues over the reports, the contrasting scenes of jubilation and caution underscore the deep divisions within and beyond Iran over the country’s leadership and political future.