Iranian Australians celebrate death of supreme leader and dream with quiet anticipation' of regime change

"I started shaking, and I started crying, remembering all of those beautiful lives that we lost, and all of those people that would be so happy to see this day. The Iranian Australian describes the news as a bittersweet but big moment for the country and its diaspora, having fled Iran's theocratic regime almost 15 years ago."

"He destroyed our country, our culture, killed our people and pushed the ideology of terror to other countries. Edgar, vice president of the Australia Iranian Community Alliance, characterized Khamenei's impact on Iran and the international community, reflecting sentiments shared across the diaspora community celebrating the leader's death."

"In Melbourne, members of Australia's Iranian diaspora gathered in Federation Square and on the steps of parliament to celebrate after years of violence, most recently culminating in the regime's brutal crackdown of protests, with up to 30,000 people estimated to have been killed."

Following Israel and US strikes on Iran resulting in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, Australia's Iranian diaspora community organized celebrations across major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Members gathered at significant locations to commemorate the moment, with some spraying champagne and praying for a liberated Iran. Iranian Australians who fled the regime described the news as bittersweet but significant, reflecting on the regime's brutal history including an estimated 30,000 deaths during recent protest crackdowns. Community leaders characterized Khamenei's rule as destructive to the country, culture, and people, while spreading terrorism internationally. The celebrations represented years of waiting for change among those who had escaped the theocratic regime.

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