Iranians celebrate around the world: ‘The dictator, the killer, Ali Khamenei is dead’

A man walks by an Iranian Market with an Iranian and an American flag outside the shop in the Persian Square at the West LA neighborhood within Los Angeles, California, on February 28, 2026.

The Iranian diaspora around the world has begun to celebrate the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

 

 after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Tehran.

Several videos came out online on Saturday of Iranians cheering and dancing after missiles descended on Iran’s capital city. Celebrations ramped up as President Donald Trump and Israeli officials confirmed the religious leader was killed at age 86 after 35 years of leadership.

 Citizens in Tehran whistled and cheered from their balconies and through their windows in video footage posted to X after 11 p.m., local time.

Sana Ebrahimi, an Iranian-born Fox News contributor, 

 

announced the news to her hundreds of thousands of followers on Saturday afternoon, including a video of herself jumping and dancing to “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People.

“I am an Iranian and this is the best day of my life,” she said. “The dictator, the killer, Ali Khamenei is dead.”

Independent journalist Raheem J. Kassam posted his experience at the White House to X, attaching a video of a large crowd waving American and Persian flags while blaring “Y.M.C.A.”, a song associated with President Trump.

“Wow, it’s crazy in downtown D.C. right now as hundreds of Persians descend on the White House to celebrate the ouster of the Iranian Islamic regime,” he wrote.

Wow it’s crazy in downtown dc right now as hundreds of Persians descend on the White House to celebrate the ouster of the Iranian Islamic regime pic.twitter.com/ia83aU5O8t

 — Raheem J. Kassam (@RaheemKassam) February 28, 2026

Before Khamenei’s death was confirmed, Iranians gathered in the streets in Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain and Germany, waving the historical Persian flag from before the Islamic Revolution of the late 1970s, which features a lion and sun symbol.

Iranians in Spain and Germany, celebrate and thank the U.S., President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu following major combat operations against Iran.

Watch OAN on Spectrum and YouTube TV Today! pic.twitter.com/xdzTUKTogw

— One America News (@OANN) February 28, 2026

Iranians in Newcastle, UK celebrate the US/Israel strike with US, Israel, UK, and pre-1979 Iran flags.

"President Trump kept his promise!" pic.twitter.com/hCMAiWHlpn

 — Anthony Brian Logan (ABL) (@ANTHONYBLOGAN) February 28, 2026

Prior to the Islamic revolution, Iran was a monarchy under the Pahlavi dynasty, which ruled since 1925. From the 1950s to the 1970s, the Shah pursued many modernization efforts, building roads, railways and factories and expanding universities and hospitals. Iran became a leading economy in the region during the 1960s and 70s.

Iranians in Australia celebrate the US strikes on Iran that will free the Iranian people and stop Iran from obtaining nukes.https://t.co/16ALs0qYwA

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) February 28, 2026

Iranians living in exile are stunned by President Trump's bravery in destroying the Islamic terror regime once and for all. In Oslo, Norway they started taking to the streets to celebrate and show support for Trump. pic.twitter.com/RYzimaX8Nd

— Liza Rosen (@LizaRosen0000) February 28, 2026