Thousands of members of the Iranian diaspora took to the streets in Berlin, Paris, Düsseldorf, and other European cities to celebrate the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Protesters, carrying flags from before the Islamic Revolution, expressed hope for the fall of the theocratic regime and the democratization of their homeland. While an atmosphere of euphoria dominates, many participants fear an escalation of armed conflict and retaliation that could affect their loved ones remaining in Iran.

Euphoria of the Iranian diaspora

Thousands of Iranians in Europe celebrate the death of Ali Khamenei, seeing it as the end of a decades-long religious dictatorship.

Demonstrations in Germany

The largest gatherings took place in Düsseldorf (6,000 people) and Berlin, where demands for freedom for Iran were made.

Fear of war

Despite the joy, participants express fears of armed attacks on Iranian territory and the fate of their families in the country.

Attacks on journalists

In Nuremberg, aggression occurred against media representatives covering the Middle Eastern demonstrations.

Events in the Middle East have triggered an unprecedented wave of demonstrations in Western Europe. The largest gatherings were recorded in Germany and France, where the Iranian emigrant community has for years been a significant opposition voice against the authorities in Tehran. In Berlin alone, around 1,800 people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, chanting freedom slogans in a joyful atmosphere. Similar scenes took place in Düsseldorf, where police estimates put the number of participants in the march at between 5,000 and 6,000. Participants described the day as "the most beautiful in their lives," seeing the death of ayatollah as a chance for the final dismantling of the structures of the Islamic Republic. However, joyful moods are intertwined with deep anxiety about the future of the region. Many Iranians living in Europe emphasize that while they hate the current theocratic regime, they fear a full-scale war that could lead to the destruction of the country and mass civilian casualties. In Paris, thousands marched in a procession against the rule of the mullahs, demanding international support for the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. This situation directly impacts the internal security of European states – in Nuremberg, an incident occurred where journalists covering the demonstration were attacked, forcing intervention by law enforcement. Ali Khamenei held the position of Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989, being the main architect of the policy of confrontation with the West and Israel and the brutal suppression of internal protests, such as those in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. Parallel to the political events, an unusual protest by the local surfing community took place in Munich. Around 1,500 people demonstrated for the reopening of the famous wave on the Eisbach river, which was closed for safety reasons and necessary renovation work. While this event is not directly linked to the Iranian crisis, it shows significant social mobilization in Germany amid rising global tensions. State and city authorities are monitoring both streams of protests, striving to ensure security and avoid an escalation of violence between groups with extremely different political interests. „Wenn die Iraner befreit sind, werden wir die besten Freunde Israels in der Region” (If the Iranians are liberated, we will be Israel's best friends in the region) — Demonstration participant in Berlin

Mentioned People

  • Ali Chamenei — The deceased supreme spiritual and political leader of Iran, who held power for nearly four decades.