By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Violent protests erupted across parts of Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday in response to the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while in European capitals and other Western cities, jubilant Iranian exiles gathered to celebrate what they called the end of an era.
At least 23 people were killed in Pakistan as demonstrations turned deadly, making it one of the bloodiest days of unrest in the country in recent years. The sharp divide in global reactions underscored how polarizing Khamenei’s legacy remains nearly four decades after he rose to power.
Karachi: Gunfire at the Consulate
The most intense violence unfolded in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial hub, where at least 10 protesters were killed during clashes outside the U.S. consulate.
Chanting “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”, thousands of demonstrators surged toward the diplomatic compound. According to local government spokesman Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, consulate security personnel opened fire after protesters breached the outer security barrier. Reuters reporters at the scene heard sustained gunfire and saw tear gas canisters fired into surrounding streets.
Protesters set a vehicle ablaze outside the main gate and clashed with police as chaos spread across the area. Karachi’s Civil Hospital said all those killed and injured had suffered gunshot wounds. Police reported at least 34 people injured.
“We are in constant touch with consulate officials. They are all safe,” Hemnani said, adding that authorities in Sindh province had ordered an inquiry into the incident.
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad said it was monitoring reports of demonstrations and advised American citizens to maintain heightened security awareness.
Northern Pakistan: U.N. Office Burned
Further north in Skardu, in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, at least 11 people were killed after protesters torched a United Nations office building.
Skardu lies in Pakistan’s only province where Shi’ite Muslims form a plurality. Anger over the strikes in neighboring Iran — home to the world’s largest Shi’ite population — ran particularly high.
“A large number of protesters gathered outside the U.N. office and burned down the building,” local government spokesperson Shabbir Mir told Reuters. Casualty figures were confirmed by government and intelligence officials who requested anonymity.
Elsewhere in Pakistan, demonstrations broke out in Lahore and Islamabad. In the capital, police sealed roads leading to the Red Zone — home to embassies and government buildings — and used tear gas and live ammunition when thousands attempted to march toward the diplomatic enclave. Two people were killed there, officials said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi appealed for calm while expressing solidarity with Iran. “We stand with you,” he said, adding that Pakistanis shared in Iran’s grief.
Baghdad: Clashes at the Green Zone
In Iraq, hundreds of pro-Iranian demonstrators gathered outside the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, which houses the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic missions.
Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse crowds attempting to approach the compound. Though no deaths were immediately reported in Iraq, the confrontation highlighted the volatility of public sentiment in a country where Iran wields significant political and militia influence.
Pakistan and Iraq, after Iran itself, have some of the world’s largest Shi’ite populations, making the killing of Khamenei particularly emotive.
Peaceful Marches in Africa
In Kano, northern Nigeria — home to a sizable Shi’ite minority — thousands marched peacefully, waving Iranian flags and carrying portraits of Khamenei. Demonstrators condemned the strikes but avoided direct confrontation with authorities.
The protests illustrated the broad reach of Iran’s ideological and religious influence beyond the Middle East.
Celebrations in Exile Communities
In stark contrast, scenes of celebration unfolded in Western cities with large Iranian diaspora communities.
In Paris, thousands gathered in a festive atmosphere, waving flags of Iran’s pre-1979 monarchy and holding red roses. Some raised bottles of champagne, while others displayed portraits of relatives who had died during decades of clerical rule.
Israeli, American and French flags were visible among the crowd. “We had a party last night until 3 a.m.,” said Maximilien Jazani, 57, an Iranian exile. “We danced, we chanted, we sang. Iranians want to vote and choose the kind of government they want.”
In Lisbon, demonstrators assembled outside the Iranian embassy, cheering news of Khamenei’s death and calling for democratic reforms in Tehran.
A World Divided
The sharply contrasting reactions reflect the enduring divisions surrounding Khamenei’s leadership. To supporters across parts of the Muslim world, he symbolized resistance to Western influence and Israeli power. To many exiles and critics, he embodied decades of repression and political stagnation.
As tensions continue to mount in the region, authorities in multiple countries are bracing for further demonstrations. The coming days may test governments’ ability to manage public anger without escalating violence.
For now, from the streets of Karachi to the boulevards of Paris, the global response to Khamenei’s killing reveals a world deeply split — mourning in some quarters, celebrating in others, and bracing for what comes next.
Source: Reuters
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