TEHRAN, IRAN March 1, 2026.– Just hours after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, large crowds of regime supporters poured into the streets of major cities, waving flags, holding portraits of the late leader, and chanting calls for revenge against the United States and Israel.
Footage shared widely on social media, including a video posted by BRICS News (@BRICSinfo), shows thousands gathering in what appear to be organized mourning rallies. Participants can be seen marching, raising fists in the air, and displaying banners with slogans such as “Death to America” and “Revenge for the Leader.” The video captures the scale of the gatherings, with dense crowds filling public squares and streets under Iranian flags.
Khamenei, 86, was killed early Saturday morning when his office in Tehran was struck during a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation. Iranian state television and the Supreme National Security Council officially confirmed his “martyrdom” on Sunday morning, declaring a 40-day period of national mourning and several days of public holidays.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the killing on his Truth Social platform, describing Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and stating the strikes were part of a broader campaign against the Iranian regime. Israeli officials echoed the confirmation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noting the operation aimed to neutralize key threats.
Iranian authorities have vowed a fierce response. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of “the most devastating retaliation,” while state broadcasters aired emotional announcements, including a presenter breaking down in tears while reading the official statement.
The death of the man who ruled Iran since 1989 — succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and steering the Islamic Republic through decades of confrontation with the West — leaves the country in a state of uncertainty. No immediate successor has been named, raising questions about power transitions amid the ongoing crisis.
While the rallies shown in the BRICS News video highlight strong pro-regime sentiment in certain areas, unverified reports and counter-images circulating online suggest mixed public reactions, with some Iranians reportedly celebrating the news privately.
This dramatic escalation follows months of heightened tensions and comes as the region braces for potential further conflict.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments as Iran enters its official mourning period.
—
Source material includes verified footage from the X post (ID: 2027981804569850331) and confirmations from multiple international outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters, and The New York Times.*
About The Author
