OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
3:22 PM – Saturday, 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.
Joy and celebration in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/IGfv3ku0YO
— The Truth Hurts (@hurts9104) February 28, 2026
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.”
I am an Iranian and this is the best day of my life.🇮🇷
— ثنا ابراهیمی | Sana Ebrahimi (@__Injaneb96) February 28, 2026
The dictator, the killer, Ali Khamenei is dead. pic.twitter.com/FY3KarYRIb
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.
— One America News (@OANN) February 28, 2026
Watch OAN on Spectrum and YouTube TV Today! pic.twitter.com/xdzTUKTogw
Iranians in Newcastle, UK celebrate the US/Israel strike with US, Israel, UK, and pre-1979 Iran flags.
— Anthony Brian Logan (ABL) 🇺🇸 (@ANTHONYBLOGAN) February 28, 2026
"President Trump kept his promise!" pic.twitter.com/hCMAiWHlpn
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
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