Khamenei’s Swallows on the Streets of Tehran After Israel–U.S. Joint Strikes: Protests, Explosions, and Regional Fallout

Introduction

In the aftermath of reported joint military strikes by Israel and the United States, thousands of Iranians flooded the streets of the capital in one of the most intense protest scenes in recent years. Gathering at Palestine Square, demonstrators waved Iranian flags, chanted anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans, and held portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a powerful display of unity and defiance.

The dramatic scenes unfolded just hours after explosions were reported across strategic areas of the city. Smoke was seen rising from multiple locations, emergency sirens echoed through neighborhoods, and state media described the events as “aggression” requiring a decisive response. The geopolitical shockwaves were immediate, as regional tensions escalated and global markets reacted sharply to the news of a direct confrontation involving major powers.