Protests in Pakistan
Massive protests and an attack on the US consulate in Karachi have shaken Pakistan, triggered by reports of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The resulting clashes have left at least 22 people dead and more than 120 injured. The situation was particularly severe in Karachi, where 10 people were killed and at least 50 wounded.
According to Karachi police spokesperson Rehan Ali, hundreds of protesters gathered suddenly at the US consulate, prompting a rapid police response. Demonstrators attempted to breach security barricades, used sticks to smash the consulate's windows, and hurled stones and other objects to break the building's glass. Flames were visible in the windows, and fires were set near the outer perimeter. Protesters also tried to set fire to the diplomatic mission's entrance gates.
Iran's Response
In Iran, mass mourning ceremonies have commenced in response to the reported death of Ayatollah Khamenei. The Iranian leader's death is attributed to a joint US and Israeli strike. The Iranian Tasnim agency published video from the city of Yasuj, showing thousands of people gathered in main squares. Similar scenes have been reported in Lorestan province, according to the Tehran Times. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Ali Larijani, announced the formation of an interim leadership council, which will begin operating on March 1, 2026.
These events underscore the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, a long-standing fault line in the Middle East. The death of Khamenei, a pivotal political figure, has the potential to trigger further conflict escalation both within Iran and beyond its borders. The surge of protests in Pakistan reflects a broader regional discontent with American policy and its consequences, which could have significant implications for stability across the region. The attack on a US diplomatic post is a serious escalation in a region where anti-American sentiment often runs high.