Iranian Australians are celebrating the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following Israeli and US strikes on Iran, but many fear for relatives still in the country. In Sydney and Melbourne, thousands attended rallies that turned into celebrations, while in Canberra, champagne was sprayed outside the closed Iranian embassy.
Sahar Gholizadeh, who fled Iran 15 years ago, described the news as bittersweet. “I started shaking, remembering all those beautiful lives we lost,” she said. Suren Edgar, vice president of the Australia Iranian Community Alliance, called it “the best morning of my life,” but added, “Missiles don’t understand who the enemy is.”
Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 133 civilians killed and 200 injured in the first hours of the attack. Internet disruptions have left many in Australia anxiously awaiting news from loved ones. “The psychological impact of silence can be as distressing as the crisis itself,” Edgar said.
Kambiz Razmara of the Australian-Iranian Society of Victoria noted “quiet anticipation” in the community. While celebrating Khamenei’s death, many are uncertain about regime change. Some support Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former monarch, as a transitional leader. “People have someone who can propose a transitional arrangement to democratic rule,” Razmara said.
Activist Mohammad Hashemi, whose cousin was executed in May, said, “We just feel happy. This is one of the best pieces of news we’ve ever been waiting for.” However, concerns remain about retaliatory attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
