Videos pouring in from Tehran and other cities show crowds of Iranians pouring into the streets late Saturday night, cheering and dancing after news broke of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
The Khamenei death celebration scenes contrast sharply with the regime’s official mourning, highlighting deep divisions in the country following the dramatic strike.
State media confirmed Khamenei’s killing early Sunday, declaring a 40-day national mourning period and seven public holidays. The 86-year-old leader, who had ruled Iran since 1989, died at his office in Tehran during the massive attack that also targeted military and nuclear sites.
President Donald Trump hailed the operation as “justice for the people of Iran” and called for regime change, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment. You can imagine the mix of shock and relief rippling through neighbourhoods where people have lived under strict rules for decades.
One clip shared widely on X captures a massive gathering in what appears to be a Tehran suburb. People wave pre-revolutionary flags with the lion and sun emblem, honk car horns, and shout slogans against the Islamic Republic.
The video shows blurry figures jumping around under streetlights, with some setting off fireworks that light up the night sky. It’s the kind of raw footage that spreads like wildfire online, drawing millions of views in hours. Another post from an Iranian user in Germany urges others to join the joy, asking if they’ve danced or eaten sweets to mark the moment.
Not everyone joins the party. Regime loyalists gathered Sunday morning in large numbers, waving Iranian flags and chanting in support of the fallen leader.
Footage from these events depicts solemn marches through city centres, with speakers on stages addressing packed crowds. Think about it: one side lights up the night with cheers, the other fills the day with grief. This split tells you a lot about where Iran stands right now.
The celebrations started almost right after the strikes. In Shiraz, people reportedly took to the streets, some even thanking Trump in English chants. Social media buzzes with similar scenes from Esfahan and Karaj, where groups block traffic to dance and share food.
Overseas, Iranian communities in places like Los Angeles held their own rallies, holding signs that say “Make Iran Great Again” and waving American flags alongside old Persian ones.
This outpouring comes against a backdrop of years of unrest. Just weeks ago, on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iranians shouted “Death to Khamenei” from rooftops, drowning out official fireworks.
Videos from that night show cityscapes lit by explosions, but the real fire came from voices below. Now, with Khamenei gone, those same sentiments spill onto the pavement.
Analysts point out the risks. Without a clear successor, Iran faces uncertainty. The Assembly of Experts will pick the next supreme leader, but hardliners like Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, might step up.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards promise fierce retaliation, launching missiles at US bases in the region. Oil prices spiked overnight, and markets brace for more volatility.
For ordinary Iranians, this moment feels like a turning point. Some posts warn that these celebrations could spark crackdowns, with security forces already on high alert. Others see hope for change, sharing dreams of a freer country. One X user summed it up simply: “The post-Ayatollah era has started.”
As the sun rose Sunday, the divide grew clearer. Mourners filled squares in Tehran, while pockets of joy persisted in quieter areas. International reactions pour in, from condemnation by allies like Russia to support from Western leaders. Polymarket bets even put a 50% chance on the regime falling by July.
No one knows what comes next. Will these street parties lead to broader uprisings? Or will the system clamp down harder? For now, the videos keep coming, showing a nation at a crossroads. If you’re following this, it’s hard not to feel the weight of history unfolding in real time.
