Large-scale mourning gatherings and protests have been reported across several countries following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Shia communities expressed grief and anger.
In Tehran and other Iranian cities, millions were reported to have mourned the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Crowds filled streets in Isfahan and Zanjan.
In a symbolic gesture signalling retaliation, a red flag was raised over the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque, a site of religious significance in Iran. The flag is traditionally associated with calls for justice and retribution in Shia symbolism.
Outside Iran, solidarity gatherings were also reported. In Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, people assembled in the streets to mourn.
In India, visuals showed people gathering outside the Iran Cultural House in Delhi, where a meeting was scheduled to mark Khamenei’s death. Members of the Shia community in Jammu and Kashmir staged a large protest outside the headquarters of United Nations Military Observer Group in Srinagar.
In Pakistan, protests reportedly turned violent in some areas. Thousands gathered in Skardu, where the United Nations office was set on fire. In Karachi, demonstrators stormed the US consulate, triggering clashes with Pakistani security forces. Reports said at least 10 people were killed after soldiers opened fire on protesters outside the consulate.