Persian Expatriates Gather at White House in Celebration Following Khamenei's Reported Death
Hundreds of jubilant Persians assembled outside the White House on Saturday night in a spontaneous celebration after former US President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes. Footage from downtown Washington DC showed demonstrators waving both Iranian and American flags as music blared and crowds cheered enthusiastically.
Festive Atmosphere Captured by Independent Reporter
Independent reporter Raheem J. Kassam posted video of the scene on social media platform X, describing a festive atmosphere as large numbers of Iranian expatriates gathered near the White House. '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,' Kassam wrote in his post.
His videos showed a sea of flags while 'YMCA,' a song long associated with Donald Trump's campaign rallies, played through loudspeakers. The gathering followed proactive claims from multiple Israeli officials that Khamenei had been killed during joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran earlier in the day.
Trump's Statement on Truth Social
In a post on Truth Social, US President Trump stated: 'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. 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 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.'
Israeli Reports and Official Statements
Israeli media outlets reported that both Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were shown a photograph said to depict Khamenei's body. Israel's Channel 12 reported: 'A photo of the body was shown to Netanyahu and Trump.' Public broadcaster Kan similarly reported that senior Israeli officials had been informed of Khamenei's death and that his body had been recovered from the wreckage of his compound.
In a televised address Saturday evening, Netanyahu said Israeli airstrikes had destroyed Khamenei's compound and suggested the Iranian leader was dead. 'All indications show this tyrant is no longer with us,' he stated. The Ayatollah's palace was reportedly destroyed by missiles as part of the US-Israeli military operation, with his body found beneath the rubble according to defense officials cited by news agencies.
Escalating Tensions and Retaliatory Attacks
The reported killing marks a dramatic escalation in tensions following the joint US-Israel strikes on targets in Tehran earlier Saturday. Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Middle East in response to the airstrikes. At least four people were injured after an Iranian missile strike hit the five-star Fairmont hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, according to local reports.
Dramatic footage showed the exterior of the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel burning after it was reportedly struck by a high-speed Shahed drone. There has been no confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding Khamenei's status, and Tehran has denied that the Supreme Leader was killed in the attacks.
Historical Context and Terminology
Iran was historically known in the West as Persia, a name derived from the ancient Persian Empire. The country formally adopted the name Iran for international use in 1935 under ruler Reza Shah. Today, Iran refers to the modern nation-state, while Persian commonly describes the language, culture and largest ethnic group in the country.
Members of the Iranian community often refer to themselves as Persian, particularly at cultural or political gatherings abroad. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989 and is the country's highest political and religious authority. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the Israeli government for comment on the developing situation.
