At least nine protesters were killed in Karachi, Pakistan, after demonstrations erupted following the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes attributed to the United States and Israel. The violence unfolded as protesters attempted to breach the U.S. Consulate in the city, setting vehicles ablaze and clashing with police, officials confirmed Sunday.
The unrest is not limited to Karachi. Iraqi police in Baghdad fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters gathered outside the Green Zone, home to the U.S. Embassy. Demonstrators chanted slogans including “Death to Israel, death to America,” reflecting widespread anger over Khamenei’s death.
According to Pakistani police, the nine fatalities occurred during clashes near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. Details surrounding the circumstances of the deaths remain unclear. Attempts to reach the U.S. Consulate in Karachi and the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad for comment were unsuccessful. A diplomat inside the Karachi consulate reported that personnel were safe.
Reuters reporters on the scene reported hearing gunfire and witnessing the deployment of tear gas as protesters attempted to overwhelm security forces. Video footage circulating online, verified by Al Jazeera, showed protesters carrying images of Khamenei and shouting anti-American slogans prior to the outbreak of violence.
The protests extended beyond Karachi. In the northern city of Skardu, in the Gilgit Baltistan region, protesters set fire to a United Nations office building. Shabbir Mir, a local government spokesperson, confirmed the incident to Reuters, stating that no casualties were reported. The Gilgit Baltistan region, known for its Himalayan scenery, is predominantly Shia Muslim.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters convened outside the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. Aqeel Raza, an eyewitness, told Reuters that while some protesters attempted to damage a security gate, police intervened without resorting to force. In Islamabad, authorities blocked all roads leading to the Red Zone, which houses diplomatic missions and parliament, as a precautionary measure.
Western diplomatic missions in Pakistan have reportedly increased security protocols and restricted staff movement across the country in response to the escalating tensions, according to diplomatic sources. Several multinational companies operating in Pakistan are also reviewing their security arrangements, including limiting air travel and enhancing protection around offices and factory sites, corporate sources indicated.