A street in North London was brought to a standstill on Saturday night as scores of Iranians celebrated following news from Donald Trump that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed.
A major attack launched by Israel and the US killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, the US President announced on Saturday.
Members of the Persian community in Ballard Lane, North Finchley, waved the Iranian flag of the pre-Islamic regime, while others waved the US flag.
Footage showed residents of the London borough blaring music from their cars and cheering, while some were seen handing out roses.
Local resident Jessica came out of her house to find a scene of literally thousands descending on Ballards Lane.
She told The Daily Mail: ‘It’s absolute mayhem, it’s pandemonium. It’s a scene of absolute jubilation.
‘People are chanting and singing. They are handing out roses to one another and Persian biscuits. It’s just joy. People are holding up pictures of the Shah, and cars are tooting in the road.
‘A bus has been stuck in the middle of the road now for over an hour. There are families with young children just full of happiness, and they are dancing in the street.’
Iranians celebrated the news of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in North London
Members of the Persian community in Ballard Lane, North Finchley, waved the Iranian flag of the pre-Islamic regime, while others waved the US flag
Roses have become a symbol of peaceful protests against Iran’s repressive government.
Iranians were also heard shouting ‘long live Israel’, while Jewish residents of North Finchley joined the crowds in chanting ‘long live the Shah’.
The celebrations come amid the assassination of the Ayatollah, which Trump tonight said gave Iranians their ‘greatest chance’ to ‘take back the country’.
The strikes opened a stunning new chapter in US intervention in Iran, marking the second time in eight months that the Trump administration had attacked the country during talks over its nuclear program.
The reported killing of Khamenei after decades in power appeared certain to create a significant leadership vacuum, given the absence of a known successor and because the Supreme Leader had final say on all major policies.
He led Iran’s clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the two main centres of power in the governing theocracy.
In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were ‘growing signs’ that the 86-year-old had been killed when Israel struck his compound early Saturday.
Shortly after the address, two Israeli officials said Israel had confirmed his death. The officials both spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement and gave no further details.
Footage showed residents of the London borough blaring music from their cars and cheering
Iranians were also heard shouting ‘long live Israel’
A major attack launched by Israel and the US killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday
Trump later announced on his Truth Social that the Supreme Leader was dead.
‘Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,’ the president wrote on the social media platform.
As reports trickled out about the death, reports say some residents of Tehran were rejoicing, blowing whistles and letting out ululations.
Khamenei’s rule saw the increased Islamification of Iran and the growth of its proxy forces in Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza and beyond.
His strong religious views long unsettled the Middle East and placed Iran opposite its more western-embracing neighbours like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
‘This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,’ Trump’s Truth Social statement continued.
‘He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,’ the post went on.
The president also used his announcement to call on Iranian citizens to stand up to the Islamic regime, saying it is ‘the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.’
