Tehran after Khamenei’s death: Rallies of mourning but also dancing in the streets

TEHRAN — In January 1979, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, left a nation celebrating the end of his reign and ushered in the era of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

More than 47 years later, the death of Khomeini’s successor, Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sparked similar scenes of jubilation, with crowds in some areas openly cheering and dancing in the streets to commemorate the killing of a leader who was feared rather than loved.

But celebrations in one Tehran neighborhood were also furtive and short-lived to avoid riot police or members of the Basij, a volunteer auxiliary force of the Revolutionary Guard. Hundreds of people gathered, shouting and honking their horns, then quickly moved to another neighborhood.

There were reports of similar demonstrations in the capital. But in rural areas, where there was less of a Basij and police presence, thousands took to the streets, chanting slogans and dancing with joy.

These meetings contrasted with the more organized, mass rallies in which Iranian authorities have long been powerful. At such rallies this weekend, Khamenei supporters mourned his death.

In the hours after Khamenei’s death was announced on Saturday, thousands of people gathered in main squares across the country, holding up images of the Supreme Leader, waving Iranian flags and chanting “We sacrifice ourselves to you, O Hussein,” a reference to a martyred Shiite figure. Many cried openly.

Two men on a motorcycle decorated with the image of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ride ahead of a group of government supporters near Khamenei’s residence in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday.

(Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)

But despite differing views on Khamenei, both sides shared a sense of uncertainty stemming from the sense that Iran was at a crossroads, facing important questions about its political and economic future, and that Iran could easily go down a dangerous and chaotic path.

“It’s a mixed feeling. On the one hand, yes, we are happy about the decapitation attacks and Khamenei’s death. But the surviving officials and commanders will not throw up their hands and give up,” said Hasan, a barber in Tehran who, like many people we interviewed, asked to remain anonymous to avoid reprisals.

“They will fight back and therefore the collapse of the regime will take a long time and will not be easy,” he said.

Reached by phone, Ziba, a 60-year-old retired nurse, said that she and her husband were driving to fill up with gas near Tehran’s Arayia Shahr Square around midnight, just after the Basij base near their home was hit, when rumors about Khamenei’s death began to grow stronger.

“We started honking our horns in celebration,” he said. When they returned to their apartments, they cheered from their windows.

But they were too afraid to do more. They lived in a neighborhood with many high-ranking officials and were worried this would lead to retaliation.

He added that his family is happy, but they expect the collapse of the theocracy to take longer. And that would include destroying much of the country’s military infrastructure, which he sees as “the country’s assets.”

In the meantime, he was concerned with protecting his family. Both his son and daughter were at home after authorities declared a seven-day public holiday.

“I begged them not to go out and to leave the house with us in another part of Tehran,” he said.

“I hope the regime will collapse quickly. [God willing] it will.”

Others were divided within the same household.

Rahman, an electrical engineer who did not shed a tear for Khamenei, was taking his elderly father, a passionate supporter of Khamenei, to the mosque where he would attend the mourning ceremony.

Rahman hoped that protesters would take to the streets once again within 10 days and impose their will on the now-decapitated theocratic regime.

“But the more realistic situation is that US and Israeli attacks will continue until senior officials sit down to negotiate and agree to a deal that will keep them in power,” he said.

Amir, a 20-year-old barista, now refused to let thoughts of the future dampen his spirits. She had participated in protests in January, as well as 2022 demonstrations protesting the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was accused of violating the law forcing women to cover their heads.

“I’m telling you, for the first time in years I’m laughing and happy,” he said.

“I don’t know or care what happens next. All I can tell you is that this regime has no real devotees, just mercenaries. I hope they give up soon.”

Iranian people demonstrated in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday in support of the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran.

(Ibrahim Noroozi / Associated Press)

For the largely anti-government Iranian diaspora communities outside the country, Khamenei’s death brought sheer joy. In Los Angeles, London and other cities, people essentially participated in street parties in front of Iran’s diplomatic missions.

Reactions in the Middle East were also divided; It’s a reflection of Khamenei’s long shadow in the region. In Syria, Khamenei’s death was seen as revenge for the arms, men and material support to former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was overthrown in December 2024.

In Lebanon, the Shiite group Hezbollah organized a rally for thousands of people in the Beirut suburb where it dominates.

And in Iraq, a Shiite-majority country whose deep ties to Iranian rulers began with the 2003 U.S. invasion, the government declared three days of mourning. Meanwhile, hundreds of people tried to attack the Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, then were repelled by police forces.