By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE
Toronto, Canada — Hundreds of Iranians and Iranian-Canadians gathered in downtown Toronto on Saturday to celebrate the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ruled the country since 1989.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been confirmed dead at age 86, following a joint military operation by the United States and Israel.
Iranian state media announced his death later on Friday, after a missile and air strike reportedly hit his compound in Tehran.
Here in Toronto, the crowd assembled near the city’s central core, waving Iranian flags from the pre-1979 era alongside Canadian, American, and Israeli flags.
Protesters chanted slogans calling for democratic reform in Iran and an end to clerical rule.
Some participants expressed support for recent military measures reportedly carried out against Iranian government targets.
Several demonstrators carried banners thanking U.S. President Donald Trump and the Israeli government for what they described as decisive action against the Iranian regime.
Others held placards reading “Freedom for Iran” and “Regime Change Now.”
Speaking to The East African Daily, members of the Iranian diaspora said they believed intensified international pressure could accelerate political change inside Iran.
“We want a free, secular, and democratic Iran,” said one participant, a Toronto-based engineer who left Iran more than a decade ago.
“For many of us, this is about the future of our families and the millions of Iranians who cannot speak freely.”
Another demonstrator said international intervention has, in their view, weakened the ruling establishment and created new momentum for opposition movements.
“The regime has survived for decades through repression,” she told The East African Daily adding“People inside Iran are exhausted.”
The Iranian diaspora called on US and Israel to take more military actions to ensure a regime change in Iran.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, has been the country’s highest political and religious authority for 36 years.
Under his leadership, Iran has faced repeated waves of domestic protests, international sanctions, and escalating tensions with Western nations and Israel.
Toronto is home to one of the largest Iranian diaspora communities in North America.
Political developments in Iran frequently draw public demonstrations in the city, particularly during periods of unrest inside the country.
However, the rally also drew criticism online, with some observers expressing concern over calls for foreign military intervention.
Analysts note that while many members of the diaspora advocate for regime change, opinions differ sharply on whether external military action would bring stability or deepen regional conflict.
Canadian officials have not issued a formal statement regarding the demonstration.
Police maintained a visible presence during the gathering but reported no major incidents.
Political analysts say the event underscores the deep divisions within the global Iranian community, where debates continue over the most effective path toward reform or transition of power.
As tensions in the Middle East remain high, diaspora communities abroad appear increasingly vocal, reflecting the intensity of sentiment surrounding Iran’s political future.
