Tehran And Other Iranian Cities Celebrate The Elimination Of The Head Of The Regime

People took to the streets after the news of Khamenei's elimination.

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran and other cities across the country to celebrate the news of the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel.

About this writes The New York Times.

The death of the ayatollah after nearly 40 years of authoritarian rule was a historic turnaround for Iran. Many Iranians, both at home and abroad, rejoiced, though the threat of new attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces overshadowed some of the celebrations, the NYT noted.

Line and cell phones were down across Iran, making it difficult to gauge sentiment in the country of more than 90 million people as U.S. and Israeli troops struck targets for a second straight day.

Although Iran's state television broadcast verses from the Quran and declared national mourning, video calls to The New York Times showed three Tehran residents showing scenes unfolding in their neighborhoods: large crowds of men and women dancing and cheering, shouting "Hurrah, hurrah!". Passing drivers honked their klaxons, fireworks lit up the sky, and loud Persian dance music filled the streets. In addition, many residents joined in chanting "freedom, freedom" from their windows and balconies.

53-year-old Sara, a Tehran resident who asked not to be identified for fear, said in a telephone conversation that when she heard on the news about Khamenei's assassination, she shrieked and started jumping for joy. Her husband started walking around the room and they hugged each other, the woman said.

"Then we ran outside, screaming as hard as we could, laughing and dancing with the neighbors," Sara said.

She also said that just a month ago, she, her husband and daughter were among the protesters who took to the streets to protest the government. Security forces beat Sarah and her husband with batons and sprayed tear gas in their eyes.

The Iranian diaspora is also celebrating Khamenei's death around the world, particularly in London.

"I am happy! The times of the dictator are over," said a man who came out to celebrate.

Published by CNN (@cnn)