A Symbol of Political Division in Iran
Reflecting Uncertainty Over the Country's Future
Following the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian public was split between joy and grief. This stark division underscores the country's political fragmentation and the uncertainty surrounding Iran's future political landscape.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on March 1 (local time), after news broke that the Ayatollah had died as a result of airstrikes by the United States and Israel, large numbers of Iranians flooded the streets of major cities including Tehran, Karaj, and Rasht, holding celebrations.
On March 1, 2026, in Vienna, Austria, Iranian exiles and their supporters are marching and celebrating. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In some areas, fireworks were set off, and regime opponents sang from their balconies. A man from Karaj in northern Iran told the WSJ that "people have regained their energy," adding that after the violent suppression of anti-government protests in early January, a glimmer of hope had begun to appear.
However, he said the joy was short-lived, as authorities opened fire to disperse the celebrations. Hengaw, an Iranian human rights organization, also reported similar situations in other cities, though it was not confirmed whether there were any fatalities.
In contrast, Iranian state media outlets IRNA and IRIB aired footage of large crowds mourning the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei in cities such as Tehran, Borujerd, Jouybar, and Yasuj. Many people dressed in black were shown singing and beating their chests in mourning.
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Tehran, Iran, following the confirmation of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei due to airstrikes by the United States and Israel, a man wearing a hat depicting Khamenei's photo is marching with government supporters toward Khamenei's residence. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The Israeli side claimed that the airstrikes killed 40 Iranian commanders in just one minute. These strikes have also sparked mixed reactions abroad, according to videos verified by Storyful, an open-source intelligence company owned by News Corp, the parent company of the WSJ.
Released videos show people dancing in the streets of Washington, DC, and waving the old 'Lion and Sun' flag of Iran, a symbol adopted by anti-government protesters.
In Karachi, Pakistan, anti-American protesters stormed the US consulate, smashed windows, and clashed with police, resulting in at least nine deaths. In Iraq, protesters gathered at Baghdad's Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, but were dispersed amid clouds of smoke and what appeared to be water cannons.
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