Iranians living in North America flooded major streets late Sunday night, singing and honking car horns in apparent celebration following unconfirmed reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died.
Video clips verified by AFP showed groups of people waving flags, dancing and blasting music as news of the development spread across social media platforms.
Fireworks lit up the night sky in some locations, while motorists repeatedly sounded their horns in jubilation.
As of press time, there was no official confirmation from Tehran regarding the reported death.
However, United States President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead.”
The celebrations reportedly began shortly after 11pm local time, even before Trump’s statement, as rumours circulated online about the cleric’s passing.
Witnesses in parts of Tehran said loud cheers and sustained whistles echoed through several neighbourhoods, with residents stepping onto balconies and rooftops to applaud and play music.
Clips shared on Telegram and other social media platforms, also verified by AFP, captured bursts of fireworks and prolonged shouting in the background.
However, posts indicated that large crowds had yet to gather openly on the streets within the Iranian capital at the early stage of the reports.
The muted public turnout was attributed to lingering fears stemming from last month’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests across the country.
The unrest, which began in December over worsening economic hardship in the sanctions-hit nation, quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations.
The protests peaked on January 8 and 9, marking one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.
Authorities responded with force, triggering widespread condemnation from rights groups.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it documented more than 7,000 deaths during the crackdown, cautioning that the actual figure could be considerably higher.
Iranian officials, however, acknowledged over 3,000 fatalities but blamed the violence on what they described as “terrorist acts” allegedly backed by the United States and Israel.
At the height of the demonstrations, the government attempted to strike a balance between recognising citizens’ economic grievances and denouncing what it termed the actions of “rioters.”
As speculation surrounding Khamenei’s fate continues, attention remains fixed on Tehran for official clarification amid heightened tension both within and outside the country.