Iranians rejoice in Toronto after news of 'supreme leader' Khamenei's death

"Iranians are not calling this a war, they're calling it a rescue mission," said Rebel News journalist Scarlett Grace.

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  |   March 03, 2026   |   News Analysis   |   2 Comments

On last night's episode of The Ezra Levant Show, guest host Sheila Gunn Reid was joined by Rebel News reporter Scarlett Grace to discuss the fallout from joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and what it was like being at an Iranian freedom rally as news broke about the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Scarlett described the emotional scene at the demonstration in Richmond Hill on Saturday after it was revealed that Iran's 'supreme leader' Khamenei had been killed by air strikes in Tehran.

"The news was coming in very patchy, there'd be like pockets of people erupting in cheers ... I kept trying to check my phone, like people were messaging me saying 'Khamenei's dead,' and I'm like, 'I need proof, someone send me a link,' nothing would load," she said.

"I got to the stage at the end, and ran into my security friend who has direct contact with Israel. And I was with him when the news came in from Israel and he ran to the stage to tell the speakers so the speakers could announce it officially," Scarlett continued.

"And that's when everybody started crying, and it was kind of one just emotional mess, and I was getting weepy too interviewing people. It was very hard to keep it together," she added.

The death of Khamenei marks a pivotal moment for anti-regime demonstrators who have long opposed the Islamic Republic's rule since 1979.

Crowds at the event waved Lion and Sun flags, chanted for regime change, and expressed hope for a freer Iran, with many participants crediting the strikes as a step toward ending decades of theocratic control and support for terrorism abroad.

Joint Israeli-American military operations are continuing in Iran as US officials announced over 1000 targets have been struck by the US military since Operation Epic Fury commenced early Saturday morning. The Israel Defense Forces has announced that it has hit 600 Iranian targets using over 2500 bombs since the operation began.

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  • Bernhard Jatzeck
    commented 2026-03-03 21:13:26 -0500
    There is much work that has to be done. There will be loyalists who will seek to stay in control and, even if those were gone, there’s the question as to who can form an effective government and unite the people of Iran.
  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2026-03-03 19:27:48 -0500
    I rejoice with Iranians! No one deserved to die like that monster who oppressed Iranians for 47 long years. I hope the rest of that brood of vipers gets eliminated too. They all are complicit in crimes against humanity.