On March 1, a significant protest unfolded in Karachi, Pakistan, as approximately 500 demonstrators attempted to breach the U.S. consulate. This unrest followed the announcement of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an event that has sparked widespread outrage.
Protesters chanted slogans condemning the killing of Khamenei and vandalized the consulate, breaking several windows. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, resulting in at least nine fatalities and eight injuries during the clashes.
In a related incident, hundreds of protesters in Baghdad, Iraq, also attempted to storm the “Green Zone,” where the U.S. embassy is located. Security sources indicated that while these attempts were thwarted, the protesters continued to press forward.
“Their attempts have been thwarted so far, but they keep trying,” a security source reported.
Some demonstrators in Baghdad displayed flags of pro-Iranian armed groups and hurled stones at security personnel, who retaliated with tear gas.
The unrest follows a military operation initiated by Israel against Iran, which included an attack on Tehran on February 28. U.S. President Donald Trump later announced that American forces had begun a “major combat operation” aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iranian regime, accusing it of supporting militant groups across the region.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched missiles and drones toward Israel, as well as attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In light of these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Middle Eastern situation, advocating for giving Iranians a chance to rid themselves of what he termed a “terrorist regime” and ensuring safety for all nations affected by Iranian aggression.
President Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on February 28, a claim later corroborated by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Following this, the IRGC announced the initiation of what it termed the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military installations. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a “very strong response” if they did not.
Protests erupted in Karachi and Baghdad following the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, leading to violent clashes and multiple casualties. The unrest coincides with a military operation initiated by Israel against Iran, escalating tensions in the region.
Source: Associated Press