Protests in London Mark the Death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Protesters in London gathered to celebrate the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, with a large demonstration that saw participants chanting slogans and dancing. The event took place on Whitehall, near key government buildings, and was marked by a mix of political statements and cultural expressions.
A Celebration of Change
The protest, estimated to have drawn around 2,000 people, began at Whitehall and ended at the Iranian embassy in Kensington. Participants called for the British government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and for the return of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the exiled Iranian king. Chants of “Trump and Bibi, thank you, thank you” echoed through the streets, reflecting the protesters’ support for the leaders who were responsible for Khamenei’s death.
Cultural Expressions and Symbolism
The protest featured a variety of cultural elements, including an EDM remix of Trump’s speech announcing Khamenei’s assassination. Many attendees danced to the music, emulating Trump’s famous dance moves. The event also included chants in Persian, such as “Long live the king,” referencing Reza Pahlavi, and “The final battle, Pahlavi will return!”
Children were among the participants, adding a youthful energy to the gathering. Police officers were present, with motorcycle units leading the way to warn traffic about the march. Cyclists were quickly replaced by motorcyclists carrying Iranian flags, revving their engines in solidarity.
Political Demands and Concerns
The protest also featured effigies mocking Khamenei, with one depicting him as a rat in a coffin. Protestors used this imagery to symbolize the end of the regime. One sign read, “I swear I will stand behind the last drop of blood of the people we lost.” While many flags displayed were Iranian, others included Israeli and American flags, showing the international nature of the movement.
Calls for Action
Organizers of the protest, including Niyak Ghorbani, emphasized the need for the UK government to act against the IRGC. Ghorbani stated that the IRGC members and agents were a threat to British society and urged the government to ban them and shut down the Iranian embassy. He criticized politicians for being “scared” of the Iranian regime, claiming they feared retaliation against their families.
One unnamed protestor called Sir Keir Starmer a “coward” for not supporting the war effort, while another woman at the event spoke about building a free and safe Iran. She argued that a free Iran would lead to a safer world, ending threats from groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.
Leadership Transition
Despite the calls for the end of the regime, Iran has indicated that it has chosen Khamenei’s son as his successor. Ayatollah Hosseinali Eshkevari, a member of the clerical council, announced that the vote had been cast and would be announced soon. The council’s secretary, Hosseini Bushehri, would announce the successor to Khamenei, who was killed in the conflict.
Trump has expressed his opinion on the selection process, stating that Washington should have a say. He claimed that if the new leader does not receive approval from the US, he would not last long. Israel has continued targeting senior Iranian figures, including Abolqasem Babaian, the recently appointed head of the military office of the supreme leader.
Military Actions and Consequences
The US and Israel have discussed sending special forces into Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Trump has justified the military operations by claiming that Tehran posed an imminent threat to the United States, although he has not provided evidence. He has also suggested that Iran is close to building a nuclear weapon.
The attacks have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 1,332 Iranian civilians killed and thousands wounded, according to Iran’s US ambassador. Iranian attacks have also led to the deaths of 10 people in Israel, and at least six US service members have been killed. Iran claims to have struck US bases in Kuwait, while Israel reported the deaths of two soldiers in southern Lebanon.
